Best Time and Techniques for Pruning Fruit Trees in Missouri

By Blake Jackson

The ideal time to prune fruit trees in Missouri is midwinter, according to Debi Kelly, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

“There are many reasons to prune fruit trees, and you want to do it before bud break in the spring,” Kelly explained. Kelly recently led a pruning workshop on January 25 at MU Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia.

Pruning offers numerous benefits, including maintaining plant health, improving vigor and productivity, and creating a uniform shape.

It also helps develop younger trees and rejuvenates older trees’ fruit-bearing areas. In addition, pruning can reduce insect and disease problems.

Before purchasing fruit trees, Kelly stressed the importance of understanding rootstock. “Most fruit trees have been grafted, which provides a strong root system for nutrient and water uptake,” she said.

Grafting allows a tree to produce high-quality fruit and have a great root system. Some trees, however, may produce excellent fruit but have weak roots, while others may have poor fruit but a solid root system.

Another critical aspect is understanding the growth patterns of the tree. Fruit trees typically display a mark on the limbs where the new growth starts each year.

Kelly noted that apple trees produce fruit on one-year-old wood, while peach trees bear fruit on current-year growth.

Apple and pear trees produce buds on short shoots called spurs. “A spur can be either a leaf spur or a fruit spur,” Kelly said. Leaf spurs are pointed and narrow, while fruit spurs are broader and rounder.

It’s essential to remove unnecessary branches to allow sunlight to reach the tree’s interior, which supports photosynthesis and fruit ripening.

When pruning young trees, dramatic cuts help train them into the desired shape. Once the tree matures, pruning should focus on maintaining the tree’s structure.

If neglected, avoid removing more than a third of the tree at once. It may take several years for a neglected tree to fully recover and produce fruit.

Kelly also emphasized the need for sharp, clean pruning tools to avoid damaging the tree and spreading diseases like anthracnose or fire blight.

Prune smaller branches with hand shears and larger branches with loppers or pruning saws. Disinfect tools between uses and dispose of diseased wood properly.

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