Apricot trees produce wonderfully sweet and juicy fruit, but only with proper care. One of the most important maintenance tasks is pruning apricot trees at the right time of year. While many fruit trees are pruned during winter dormancy, apricot trees are best pruned in summer.
Summer pruning helps avoid disease, stimulate growth, and maximize fruit production in apricot trees. By following some key tips on timing, tools, technique, and more, you can easily prune your apricot trees during summer for health and productivity.
Why Prune Apricot Trees in Summer?
Pruning most fruit trees in winter while they are dormant is standard practice. However, summer pruning is recommended for apricot trees for several important reasons
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Avoids disease: Apricot trees are prone to a fungal infection called Eutypa dieback that can enter through pruning wounds made in wet, cold weather. Summer pruning allows cuts to heal quickly in warm, dry conditions before winter rain returns.
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Encourages growth Summer pruning removes spent fruiting wood and stimulates new growth and fruit bud formation for the following year’s crop,
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Improves access: Thinning inner branches opens up the tree canopy for better light, air circulation, and spray penetration.
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Shapes tree: Summer pruning helps contain tree size and remove unwanted growth.
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Removes damage: Eliminating dead or damaged branches in summer prevents disease spread.
For optimal tree health and maximum fruit production, pruning apricot trees in summer is highly recommended.
When to Prune Apricot Trees in Summer
Timing summer pruning properly allows plenty of time for healing cuts before winter while maintaining active growth. Follow this ideal timeframe:
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Early summer – Prune in July-August after fruit harvest. Avoid very hot days over 100°F.
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Mid summer – Do light pruning to shape trees and thin excess growth.
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Late summer – Slow down pruning in August-September to harden off for winter.
Pruning throughout the summer keeps trees robust while giving them time to heal before cold weather arrives.
How Often to Prune Apricot Trees
Pruning frequency depends on the tree’s age:
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Young trees – Aggressively prune for proper shaping and growth in the first 3 years.
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Mature trees – Prune annually to maintain health, productivity, and structure.
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Old trees – Prune lightly to rejuvenate, removing deadwood and weak branches.
Frequent pruning while trees are young establishes good form. Annual pruning keeps mature trees vigorous. Light pruning renews old trees.
What to Prune on Apricot Trees
When summer pruning apricot trees, remove:
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Dead, diseased, or damaged branches – Prevents infection spread
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Crossing and rubbing branches – Eliminates crowding and damage
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Upright and downward growth – Unproductive angles
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Excess interior branches – Opens canopy for light and air
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Long shoots – Encourages branching and fruiting
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Suckers and watersprouts – Errant vertical growth
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20% of prior season’s growth – Prevents overgrowth
Focus on improving tree health, structure, and productivity when deciding what to prune.
How to Prune Apricot Trees in Summer Step-by-Step
Follow these tips for summer pruning apricot trees:
1. Sterilize Tools
Clean tools prevent disease spread. Dip pruning tools in diluted bleach between trees.
2. Remove Unhealthy Growth
Prune out dead, damaged, or diseased branches first to improve tree health.
3. Open Up Center
Thin inner branches to create an open vase shape for light and air penetration.
4. Shorten Long Shoots
Cut fast-growing new shoots back by 20-30% to encourage branching and flower buds.
5. Thin Out Crowding
Selectively remove branches that are too dense. Space key scaffolds several inches apart.
6. Remove Upward and Downward Growth
Prune out vertically growing branches. Retain horizontal and angled branches.
7. Shape Structure
Prune to guide outer branch expansion for best fruit production.
8. Remove Suckers and Watersprouts
Pinch off unwanted vertical growth emerging on the trunk or interior.
9. Remove 20% of Prior Season’s Growth
Pruning out 1/5th of branches prevents overgrowth.
10. Optimize Light Exposure
Prune excess foliage as needed to prevent sunburn on remaining branches.
Careful summer pruning promotes tree health, form, and fruitfulness.
Pruning Tools Needed
Having the right pruning tools makes summer pruning easier:
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Bypass pruners – For stems under 1/2 inch diameter
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Loppers – For thick stems up to 1.5 inches wide
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Hand pruning saw – For branches over 1.5 inches
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Pole pruner/saw – For high branches
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Sterilizing spray/wipes – For cleaning tools
Investing in quality tools allows clean, precise pruning cuts that heal quickly.
Avoiding Pruning Mistakes
Some common pruning errors to avoid:
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Pruning too late in summer – Cuts won’t have time to heal before winter.
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Over-pruning – Removing too much foliage stresses the tree.
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Under-pruning – Overgrown trees have reduced fruiting.
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Pruning in wet conditions – Increases disease risk.
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Leaving branch stubs – Invites decay. Make clean cuts.
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Using unsterilized tools – Can spread infections between trees.
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Painting cuts – Seals wounds instead of leaving them open to air.
With proper summer pruning technique, apricot trees will stay healthy and productive.
Enjoying the Benefits
Summer pruning is key to keeping apricot trees robust and loaded with sweet, delicious fruits. By pruning at the right time of year and training trees while young, you can maintain a compact, efficient structure. Follow these summer pruning tips to enjoy the bounty of large, juicy apricots!
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When to prune apricot trees in the UK
The right time of year to prune your apricot tree depends on how old it is.
Young trees (up to about two years old) should be pruned when new leaves start to emerge. March or early April is ideal.
Established trees (about two years old and reliably producing fruit) should be pruned in summer, ideally between July and late August.
Stone fruit trees can be affected by canker and silver leaf – pruning during the growing season means that pruning cuts are sealed with the tree’s sap, which helps to keep diseases out. Apricot trees of any age should not be pruned in autumn or winter.
Summer Pruning: The Key To A Healthy Fruit Tree
FAQ
Can I prune my apricot tree in the summer?
“Prune apricots and cherries only during July and August in inland areas and during August near the coast,” reads advice from the University of California.
Is it okay to prune trees in the summertime?
Pruning in summer may encourage vigor. In summertime, weak tree growth should be pinched or pruned back about 3 inches from the end of each soft, leafy shoot. This can be repeated in late summer if rapid side-shoot growth occurs.
What happens if you prune a fruit tree in summer?
Summer pruning, or pinching, of tender new branches is also recommended to encourage huskier growth in vigorously vegetative trees. This discourages long, weak, “leggy” growth from flourishing.
When to cut back apricots?
Prune your patio apricot in March or early April as the new leaves are starting to emerge.Oct 31, 2022
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.