Photo by P.J. Perea/NWTF Pruning redirects resources to produce more quality fruit and a healthier tree. Make sure the lopper blades are sharp and cuts are clean to prevent rot and disease.

Pruning fruit trees for wildlife

Planting a fruit tree, whether it is an apple, plum, pear or cherry, is more than just digging a hole and letting nature take its course. Annual tree maintenance in the form of pruning will not only create a healthier and stronger tree, but one that will bear abundant fruit for many years to come. Wildlife will benefit greatly from just a few minutes of maintenance every year.

Here are some important tips when pruning a fruit tree, courtesy of South Carolina’s Chris Yonce of J.W. Yonce & Sons peach orchards (www.bigsmilepeaches.com):

• Prune during the late winter or early spring, so pruning cuts can heal quickly.
• Remove damaged and dead branches first to prevent insect infestation or disease.
• Remove low-hanging branches near the base of the tree. They make the tree vulnerable to herbicide applications meant to remove competing grasses and weeds.
• Cut unwanted branches at a sharp angle to prevent moisture from collecting in the wound, which may cause wood rot or attract insects.
• Use sharp loppers or shears to prevent tearing or crushing the bark, allowing for speedy recovery of cuts.
• Encourage the growth of scaffolding branches (branches that angle 45 to 60 degrees from the trunk) by removing suckers (vigorous upshots) and competing branches.
  

The strategy of pruning should be to allow sunlight to penetrate all levels of the tree, stimulating fruit development and growth.
If you have any questions about when or how much to prune, consult with your local USDA office for guidelines at www.nrcs.usda.gov. — P.J. Perea

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