Apricot trees produce delightfully sweet juicy fruit that tastes like summer. But keeping your tree healthy and fruitful requires proper pruning. Pruning apricot trees at the right time is key – and that time is in summer not winter.
Pruning apricot trees in summer has multiple benefits compared to winter pruning Let’s explore when and how to prune apricot trees in summer for optimal health and fruit production
Why Summer is Best for Pruning Apricot Trees
Most fruit trees are pruned during winter dormancy. But apricot trees are extra prone to disease if pruned in cold, wet weather. Pruning in summer allows cuts to heal quickly in warm, dry conditions before rain returns.
Additional benefits of summer pruning for apricots:
- Stimulates new growth and fruit bud formation
- Increases air circulation and sunlight penetration
- Shapes and contains tree size
- Removes dead or damaged branches
To keep your apricot trees as healthy and productive as possible, summer pruning is highly recommended.
When to Prune Apricot Trees in Summer
Aim to prune apricot trees in summer after harvest when the tree is actively growing. This gives cuts ample time to heal before winter arrives.
The ideal pruning window is:
- Early Summer – Prune in July-August after fruiting. Avoid extremely hot days over 100°F.
- Mid Summer – Do light pruning to shape and thin crowding branches.
- Late Summer – Slow down pruning in August-September to harden off for winter.
Pruning throughout the summer allows cuts to heal while still supporting growth and fruit production.
How Often Should You Prune Apricot Trees?
- Young trees – Prune frequently to establish shape
- Mature trees – Prune annually to maintain health and productivity
- Old trees – Prune lightly to revitalize, removing deadwood
Frequent pruning while young shapes structure. Annual pruning maintains vigor in maturity. Light pruning revives old trees.
What to Prune on Apricot Trees
When summer pruning, remove:
- Dead, damaged or diseased branches
- Dense interior branches
- Crossing and rubbing branches
- Long shoots
- Suckers and watersprouts
- Shape overall structure
Focus on improving tree health and fruiting when deciding what to prune.
Step-by-Step Summer Pruning for Apricot Trees
Follow these tips for successful summer pruning:
-
Sterilize Tools
Clean tools prevent disease spread. Dip shears and saws in diluted bleach solution before each tree. -
Remove Unhealthy Growth
Prune out dead or diseased wood first to improve health. -
Open Up Center
Clear interior branches to create an open vase shape for light and air penetration. -
Shorten Long Shoots
Cut back fast-growing new shoots to 24-30 inches to encourage branching and flower buds. -
Thin Dense Areas
Selectively remove extra branches where crowded. Space key scaffold branches several inches apart. -
Remove Upward and Downward Growth
Prune out branches growing straight up or down – they won’t be productive. -
Shape Structure
Guide outward branch expansion for best fruit production. -
Remove Suckers and Watersprouts
Pinch off unwanted vertical growth around base and interior. -
Remove 20% of Last Year’s Growth
Pruning 1/5th of branches prevents overgrowth. -
Optimize Light Exposure
Prune excess foliage if needed to prevent sunburn on remaining branches.
Following these summer pruning steps keeps apricot trees shapely, healthy and loaded with fruit.
Helpful Pruning Tools
Having quality tools makes pruning easier:
- Bypass Pruners – For stems under 1/2 inch diameter
- Loppers – For thick stems up to 1.5 inches
- Hand Pruning Saw – For branches over 1.5 inches
- Pole Pruner – For high branches
- Sterilizing Spray or Wipes – For cleaning tools
Invest in good tools for clean, precise pruning cuts.
Common Pruning Mistakes
Avoid these common errors:
- Pruning too late in summer – Cuts won’t heal before winter.
- Over-pruning – Removing too much foliage stresses the tree.
- Under-pruning – Overgrown trees produce less fruit.
- Pruning in wet conditions – Increases disease risk.
- Leaving branch stubs – These die and decay. Make clean cuts.
- Using dirty tools – Can spread disease between trees.
- Painting cuts – This prevents healing. Leave cuts exposed to air.
Use proper technique for excellent summer pruning results!
Enjoy an Abundant Apricot Harvest
Summer pruning is key for apricot tree health and heavy fruit production. Follow these tips to prune at the ideal time and spur vigorous growth. Frequent pruning while young shapes structure. Then annual summer pruning maintains productivity for years of bountiful apricot harvests.
For established apricot trees
The aim of pruning from now on is to keep the tree healthy and productive, building on the good work you did when the tree was young. All you need to do is:
- Remove dead or diseased wood.
- Remove any weirdly angled shoots or branches from the trunk.
- If two branches are crossing, remove the weaker one.
- Prune out old shoots that are no longer fruiting.
- You can prune out small branches from the crown if they’re looking too crowded.
When
Prune your patio apricot in March or early April as the new leaves are starting to emerge. You won’t need to prune your tree when you plant it as our trees are professionally pruned before sending.
How
Any pruning you do will be minimal – first of all, remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches, then look at the shape of your tree and prune out any branches that are overcrowded or crossing over – this is done to keep a good flow of air through your tree and prevent disease. After a couple of years you can also prune out any branches which aren’t producing any fruit.
What you will need
To prune your apricot tree, you’ll need:
Handheld pruners for trimming thin branches – you’ll use these the most.
Also known as long handles pruning shears, these are for cutting branches up to 5cm wide and those that are higher up the tree.
For cutting through large branches too thick for loppers. Hopefully if you keep on top of the yearly pruning you won’t need one of these, but they can be handy for removing any dead or damaged parts.
To prevent infection, all of your tools should be kept clean and sharp.
Pruning Cherry Trees and Pruning Apricot Trees – Summer
FAQ
What happens if you prune a tree in summer?
This enhances the tree’s potential for robust and best growth while minimizing the chance that a weakened branch will fall on your home during a storm. Encourage hearty growth. Pruning in summer may encourage vigor.
Can you prune fruit trees in the summertime?
Avoid heavy pruning in summer. – Heavy pruning should always be saved for when fruit trees are dormant and less prone to stress.
When should you not prune fruit trees?
-
Mehrabyan Nurseryhttps://www.mehrabyannursery.comHow to Prune Fruit Trees in 8 Steps – Mehrabyan NurseryYou should prune most fruit trees (except for sweet cherries) when they are still dormant, this means early spring, about two weeks after the late frost. … Ad…
-
Reddit · r/BackyardOrchardhttps://www.reddit.comWhen’s the best time to prune fruit trees? : r/BackyardOrchard – RedditOct 6, 2020 — Fall is usually a bad time to prune. It can promote new growth when the tree should be going dormant for winter, which a tree in most of Canada reall…
-
Woodland Trusthttps://www.woodlandtrust.org.ukWhen to prune apple and other fruit trees – Woodland TrustFeb 2, 2018 — It’s better to avoid autumn pruning as this can stimulate new growth at a time when the tree is getting ready to go into dormancy.
How do you shorten a apricot tree?
When you shorten a branch, cut just above a side branch or bud whenever possible. Here are the steps in pruning a newly planted apricot tree: Remove all damaged or broken shoots and limbs. Remove all branches with a narrow crotch—those that grow up more than out. Remove all branches that are within 18 inches (46 cm.) off the ground.
When should I trim my apricot tree?
Trim your tree as soon as possible after harvesting fruit. At this stage, the tree will still be in a growth phase and will be able to heal more quickly. Pruning in late summer gives your apricot tree more time to grow new branches, which means that your tree will produce more apricots next year. Acquire sharp pruning shears and a pruning saw.
How do you prune a apricot tree?
Pruning in late summer gives your apricot tree more time to grow new branches, which means that your tree will produce more apricots next year. Acquire sharp pruning shears and a pruning saw. The blades on your shears should be sturdy, not corroded, and able clip through smaller branches. A pruning saw is usually necessary to cut thicker branches.