Autumn is approaching, and with it, the desire to prepare your orchard for winter. Pruning shears in hand, you are ready to prune your fruit trees. But be careful! A mistake on a particular tree could have disastrous consequences. Find out which tree to save in September, and which ones you can prune without fear.
The temptation of autumn pruning
It is true that many fruit trees benefit from pruning in late summer or early fall. This practice helps prepare the tree for winter and stimulate its fruit production for the following year.
For example :
Peach trees love a good pruning in September. This encourages the growth of new shoots which will bear fruit the following year.
Apricot trees also appreciate pruning at this time. It allows you to ventilate the center of the tree and eliminate poorly placed branches.
Apple and pear trees can also be pruned in September, although some prefer to wait until winter.
With all these trees demanding your attention, you might be tempted to do a big clean-up and prune all your fruit trees at once. But that would be a big mistake for one of them!
The fruit tree that should definitely not be pruned in September
Among your fruit trees is probably a specimen that delights you every spring with its magnificent white flowers, followed in summer by juicy, sweet fruits. Did you guess it? It’s the cherry tree!
And it is precisely this tree that you should definitely not prune in September. For what ? The reasons are multiple and crucial.
Why spare the cherry tree?
Unlike many other fruit trees, the cherry tree is particularly susceptible to injury in late summer and early fall. Here’s why pruning in September could be fatal:
Increased risk of disease: Pruning wounds heal poorly at this time, providing an ideal entry point for pathogenic fungi, including the dreaded lead disease.
Weakening before winter: Late pruning stimulates growth when the tree should be preparing for winter, making it more vulnerable to frost.
Loss of reserves: The cherry tree needs all its leaves in autumn to build up its nutrient reserves for winter and the following spring.
Disruption of the natural cycle: Pruning in September can disrupt the formation of flower buds for the following year, thus compromising the future harvest.
When to prune the cherry tree then?
The ideal time to prune your cherry tree is right after the fruit harvest, generally in July or early August. At this point you can:
Remove dead, diseased or misplaced branches
Thin out the center of the tree to encourage light penetration
Slightly shorten branches that are too long
If you missed this window, it is best to wait until the end of winter, just before the buds burst, to carry out light pruning.
Summary: which trees to prune in September?
To help you find your way, here is a short guide to fruit trees to prune or not to prune in September:
- To prune:
- Sin
- Apricot
- Plum
- Apple tree (light pruning)
- Pear tree (light pruning)
- Not to prune:
In fruit growing, each species has its own needs and schedule. Respecting the natural rhythm of each tree is the key to obtaining a healthy and productive orchard.
So, before embarking on a general pruning session, take the time to find out about the specific needs of each of your fruit trees. Your cherry tree will thank you with a bountiful harvest of juicy fruits next summer!
