Q: When is the best time to prune fruit trees?
As experienced orchard managers know, February is prime time for pruning pome fruits like apples and pears, plus soft fruits such as currants and blackcurrants. Steer clear of frosty days, though—there's no urgency with March still ahead.
For peaches and apricots, beginners should wait until after flowering for simpler, safer cuts.
Cherries and plums? Focus on this year's growth only, pruning it green immediately post-harvest.
Olives wait until April-May.
New to pruning? Try bending branches outward from the crown first—you'll achieve impressive results with minimal risk.
Cherry Pruning: What Not to Do
