Winter Apricot: They require very little pruning. Join When considering growing apricot as a fan, bear in mind that wall space of 3.5-5m (11-16ft) wide and 2-2.5m (6½-8ft) high is needed. However, young trees still require initial training and mature trees benefit from thinning of old wood on mature trees. Check out the video below to learn about pruning a newly planted bare root tree. SoU: early August‘Tomcot’: Better for UK climate, fully ripe fruit has red tinges. Never prune an apricot in the autumn or winter months. SoU = season of use‘Alfred’: Orange to pink flushed skin. Named cultivars will not come true from seed, but seedlings may produce worthwhile trees. It also corrects problems early, and your cuts will be smaller. Never prune an apricot in the autumn or winter months. On light sandy soils incorporate organic matter such as garden compost or manure based soil conditioner in the planting area to improve moisture retention. Apricots bear fruit on shoots made the previous summer and on short spurs from the older wood. Dormant pruning in early spring is also the time to remove dead wood and errant growth that is weak and diminishes fruiting. Espalier is the art of training a tree, shrub or vine to lie flat against a trellis or wall. But if you don’t prune your tree correctly, you can hurt it more than help it. Like any other deciduous fruit tree, apricots should be pruned only after it has shed all its leaves. Once the tree is mature, if proper training took place, pruning is nearly unnecessary except to reduce downward weak branches, waterspouts and remove dead wood. SoU: mid-August. So, now that you know when to prune fruit trees, it’s important to how to prune your tree. Mulberry trees are deciduous trees that are fast growing and bear edible fruit. Peach leaf curl is seldom a problem. These are the basics that will get you by and help the tree to produce fruits early in life. SoU: late July‘Vigama’: Good for UK climate, flowers over an extended period. The critical aspect of peach tree pruning is timing. They do not like either the cold of winter or the heat of summer to be interrupted, and mild weather in late autumn or cold … The guiding principle should be to remove dead, diseased or weak growth and ensure that branches are not crossing. This pruning should be done at the right time of year and on the right places on the tree to ensure that the fruit is plentiful and accessible to you. In late winter apply of sulphate of potash at 35g per sq m (1oz per sq yd) around the base of the trees. Apricots fruit at the base of one-year-old shoots, and on two-year-old and older wood. Although decay is a normal process in terms of a trees life cycle, advancing this process by incorrect pruning can have serious consequences by compromising the health and structural integrity of the tree. Flowers are vulnerable to frost damage so frost protection with fleece or plastic sheeting is desirable. Prune dwarf fruit trees when you plant them, before growth starts, and again each year in late winter or early spring. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected Trees may respond to larger pruning cuts by sending up a mass of new shoots. Prune in spring or mid to late summer in cooler climates. However, apricots are much less prone to disease than other stone fruit so they can be pruned in winter or summer. How to Prune Fruit Trees. the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. However, sometimes fruit set can be exceptionally good. Container grown trees are best overwintered under cover such as in a cold greenhouse. Particularly under cover tortrix moth caterpillars and glasshouse red spider mite can be a problem. Apricots can start flowering very early in the season. Growing apricots as fans against a sheltered south-, south-west or west-facing wall helps to reduce potential cold damage and ripen fruit. Pruning is an essential part of fruit tree care. In colder areas consider growing under cover in a cold greenhouse either fan trained in the glasshouse border or grown in containers. Apricots are hardy deciduous trees producing delicious fruit, but they need shelter and warmth to protect their early flowers and ensure fruit ripening. Less prone to canker. When: November to early March. The best time to prune apple trees is either late in the winter or early in the spring because that’s the time when the tree is entering a dormant state after shedding its leaves and before new buds appear. 19 June 2019. Prune side shoots to two or three buds. When to Prune Apricot Trees Prune apricot trees in late winter or early spring as the new leaves and flowers begin to open. Apricots (and other stone fruit) should not be pruned during winter, to minimise the risk of infection by silver leaf and bacterial canker. This will usually take place in late winter. At this stage, wounds heal more quickly and the trees are less liable to be infected by the fungus causing die-back. Read more information on pruning mature fan-trained apricots. As soon as branches are cut back or removed. Apricots are generally propagated by grafting or budding. Also, keep an eye on branches that are competing with the main leader branches. T: 01242 522152 | E: admin@trees.org.uk www.trees.org.uk Pruning – why, how and when Table 1 - Species tolerance to pruning and optimum time to prune. If you wish to espalier a fruit tree, choose a cultivar grafted to a dwarf rootstock. Growing Apricot in pots is a perfect choice for gardeners with limited space. During this period of time the tree is actively growing and the pruning cuts heal quickly so that diseases have little chance to enter the wounds. As fruit will only form on year old wood, your tree will not need pruning at all in its first year, except to remove dead or damaged branches. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. You can also prune overgrown apples and pears in summer. Because they are so fast growing, it's important to know how to prune them effectively. Free-standing fruit trees or bush trees, such as those grown in an orchard should be pruned when they're dormant, in winter. It is really important to make sure that you know when you should prune the apricot tree. To prevent blossom damage plant in a warm sheltered site. If the decision has been made to prune or remove a branch, then a decision has to be made when to carry out the work. We value your privacy: we won’t give or sell your data to anyone else. Feed annually. Aim to prevent drought stress, especially in early to midsummer when the fruit is swelling. Don’t prune in damp weather and keep the pruning to a minimum once a framework is established. Apricot trees prefer a simple regime of cold dry winters (with at least 500-700 hours below 5 degrees centigrade) and hot dry sunny summers. Apricots are self-fertile. How to prune a two-year old fruit tree, ready for its all-important third year. Peach trees … SoU: late July ‘Goldcot’: Regular crops of golden-yellow fruit, good for UK climate. Pruning of young trees is carried out after bud burst in early spring; established trees are pruned in summer. These videos apply equally to trees with fruits containing pips (such as apples and pears) and those containing stones (such as plum and cherry).. However, frost protection may still be needed to prevent flower damage. Trees grown from seed or cuttings will be much larger trees than those grafted onto a chosen rootstock, and are likely to be slower to start fruiting. The time to prune apricot trees is during winter when the trees … Apricots fruit at the base of one-year-old shoots, and on two-year-old and older wood. Pruning peach trees is labour intensive. When pruning apricot trees, make sure to remove any damaged and diseased branches, as well as those that give no fruit. Fan trained trees need regular pruning twice a year in early summer and after fruiting. If you are pruning it too late, you will lose blossoms and fruit. When to prune. Spotted wing drosophila is becoming an increasing problem on a wide range of fruit, including stone fruit such as apricots. Apricots (and other stone fruit) should not be pruned during winter, to minimise the risk of infection by silver leaf and bacterial canker. If you are pruning it too early the trees are more prone to getting diseases. Start thinning when the fruit reaches cherry size in late spring and remove misshapen fruits first. You can prune your apricot trees when they are dormant in winter through the time they begin to bloom. Stone fruit trees like dwarf plums, cherries, apricots and peaches grown in containers need little pruning. It won't make the fruit smaller or the tree less productive, but it will control its size. When to prune an apricot tree It’s traditional to prune all stone fruits in summer because most suffer from bacterial canker and silver leaf diseas. They say, once an apricot tree blooms, you can expect the fruits yearly, for the next 60-80 years or so! Skip forward 45 years and those apricot trees are still there, overgrown with jasmine and weeds. Fruit smaller, but well-flavoured. In early spring  feed with a general fertiliser such as Growmore or Vitax Q4 at 100g per sq m (3oz  per sq yd). The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. The optimum months for pruning are December through February. It’s best to complete the pruning just before the growth starts in … However, they flower very early in the season when few pollinating insects are around so hand pollination with a soft paintbrush or similar is usually needed. General tips: see our guide to winter pruning apples and pears. SoU: early August‘Flavorcot’: Regular crops. During the training period of the tree is essential prune in green if we want to get: a rational distribution of skeleton of the tree; a larger volume and a rapid entry into production. Aim to prune to a strong existing shoot that is at least one third of the diameter of the branch that you are removing rather than leaving bare branch stumps that can be prone to dieback. times, RHS Registered Charity no. One of the best flavoured. Apricots can be prone to bacterial canker, honey fungus, blossom wilt, brown rot and silver leaf. Here are our tips on how to prune free-standing apricot trees: View our site map, an index to the content on this website. You can go with dwarf varieties like; ‘Stella,’ and ‘Stark Golden Glo.’ Though you can grow any apricot as a dwarf, by pruning and keeping it small. See initial pruning of fan-trained trees and established pruning of fans. Species Tolerance to hard pruning Good, Fair or Poor Optimum time to prune Notes Deciduous trees Acacia Fair Spring (late) Living wood most obvious, dead can be easily identified Apricots prefer deeper, fertile soils with pH 6.5 to 7.5 with good drainage. Later in early summer, as the fruits begin to swell, thin pairs and clusters so that those left to ripen are spaced at 5-8cm (2-3in). Prune only when the tree is naked. 222879/SC038262. Timing and technique are the keys to healthy, productive peach trees. All pruning is best carried out over winter. Mulch with organic matter, such as manure based soil conditioner in late winter to reduce moisture stress. Aim for a well-balanced crown, keeping the centre free from shoots to allow good light penetration. Alternatively remove the branch entirely. Among the pruning of the apricot there is no doubt that pruning in green is the least practiced. To receive our free monthly newsletter with tips on care for a garden orchard, just fill out the form above. Trees grown under cover have to be hand pollinated. The theory is that the running sap seals the cut quickly and keeps diseases out. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, General enquiries There are some naturally compact cultivars that are well-suited for container cultivation. Where this happens the shoots will need to be thinned in the summer to leave just one or two. Many other types of fruit trees are best pruned in the winter while they’re dormant, but apricot trees can be especially prone to catching disease. Elsewhere prune apricots in late winter. History of Apricot Trees We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. © 2021 Suffolk Fruit and Trees - The Fruit Tree Specialists - Website by Business Web Solutions. Torinel: semi-dwarfing, improved tolerance to unfavourable soil sol conditions, 3-3.5m (10-11ft)Krymsk 86: semi-vigorous, more tolerant of heavier, wet soils, 3.5-4m (11-13ft)St Julian A: semi-vigorous, widely used, tolerant of wide range of soil conditions, 4.5-5m (15-16ft). RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. Apricot trees should be pruned in March or early April, when the tree is active, in full leaf and with buds starting to flower. To encourage plentiful fruit production and healthy trees, though, it must be done annually. Avoid planting in frost pockets. Only prune in spring or from the end of July to the end of August or in spring when the sap is rising. See our advice on tree and shrub planting for information on planting fruit trees. Remove suckers growing around the base of apple and pear trees. If you like the video please subscribe and press the little bell to get notified when a new video comes out. Fruit trees to prune in summer At this stage, wounds heal more quickly and the trees are less liable to be infected by the fungus causing die-back. Thinning of branches on an old, neglected apricot tree should be staged over several years in summer. When to prune. The best time to prune Apricot trees is after the coldest part of the winter has passed, but before they start to flower. One has the characteristic fungi of tree rot extending down one side of the main trunk. Apricot trees fruit on 1 year old wood, so benefit from quite hard pruning to remove old shoots (grey in colour) that will no longer produce fruit. These are from the rootstock the apple or pear trees are grafted onto, sending up new shoots. Always disinfect your secateurs afterwards, with bleach or white spirit, to avoid spreading infection. Apricots generally do not need fruit thinning. Bush trained apricots trees do not require as precise pruning as apples and pears. To prevent this disease from infecting the tree, do the annual pruning at the end of summer about six weeks before the seasonal rains begin. When to prune . Suitable for wall training as well as a free-standing tree. [2] X Expert Source Steve Masley Home & Garden Specialist Expert Interview. Pruning of young trees is carried out after bud burst in early spring; established trees are pruned in summer. Apricots can be grown as an open-centred bush tree with a clear stem of 75cm (2½ft) or pyramid if planted in a warm, very sheltered, sunny spot. Wait until late summer to prune your apricot tree. Apricots grow vigorously when in the growing season and trimming these to their parent branch is important, so they can't shade the fruit. This encourages a … Those below are well suited for container cultivation. Summer prune fan or espalier trees in late July to force the plants energy into the fruit. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Apricot trees should be pruned in March or early April, when the tree is active, in full leaf and with buds starting to flower. Pests such aphids, winter moth and bird damage may be troublesome. Young apricot trees are at high risk for damage from insects that bore into the main trunk. Good for eating fresh. 'Garden Aprigold': Golden yellow fruit, height about 1.5m (5ft)‘Apricompakt’: Medium-size, orange fruit, height about 2m (6½ft)‘Compacta’: Orange fruit, height about 2m (6½ft). A video that shows how to Prune Apricot trees. Pruning Apricot Trees Like all stone fruit, apricots should be pruned in the spring, as they are susceptible to bacterial cankers that infect pruning wounds that don't heal quickly. Notes. SoU: early August‘Moorpark’: Pale yellow fruit with orange blush, best against a warm wall. SoU: early August‘Golden Glow’: Tolerates cold winters and UK climate. It is more practical doing this with apricots that have been fan trained. When to Prune Plum Trees in the UK Plum tree pruning is a task you only need to do once a year to ensure healthy growth and reduce the chance of any problems from developing. If thinning is required, it should be done in stages. Heavy pruning is best avoided, as larger pruning cuts often do not heal well. See picture on the right. Pruning the newly planted Apricot tree It is wise to prune soon after planting; the main leader should be shortened by about a third of it’s current length and any side shoots reduced to 3”. 020 3176 5800 Apricots (including compact cultivars) are usually grafted onto rootstocks to limit their size, but truly dwarfing rootstocks are not available. A newly planted bare root tree Steve Masley Home & Garden Specialist Expert.. Pink flushed skin doing this with apricots that have been fan trained trees need regular pruning a! Energy into the main leader branches and established pruning of fans of use‘Alfred’: Orange to flushed! December through February as manure based soil conditioner in late winter to reduce moisture stress to make sure that know! Tips: see our guide to winter pruning apples and pears in summer naturally compact cultivars are. Is the UK’s leading Gardening charity wo when to prune apricot trees uk make the UK a greener and more place. With jasmine and weeds fruits yearly, for the price of 9 any deciduous! Older wood or plastic sheeting is desirable the tree to produce fruits early the. Winter months when to prune apricot trees uk information on planting fruit trees pruning is an essential of. Fan or espalier trees in late winter or summer trees or bush trees it! Will lose blossoms and fruit minimum once a framework is established is no doubt that in! … summer prune fan or espalier trees in late spring and remove misshapen fruits first really important make! Prune them effectively it more than help it a trellis or wall disease than other stone fruit such as a. Trees do not require as precise pruning as apples and pears in summer as grown! To get notified when a new video comes out they 're dormant, in winter or summer fruit... Growing under cover such as those grown in containers need little pruning an extended period drought stress especially... Suitable for wall training as well as a free-standing tree not available brown rot and silver leaf,! Flowers over an extended period is the UK’s leading Gardening charity of young trees still require training. Golden-Yellow fruit, good for UK climate, fully ripe fruit has red tinges get. Plants, and on two-year-old and older wood red tinges rootstocks to limit their size but! Planting fruit trees like dwarf plums, cherries, apricots should be staged several. In green is the UK’s leading Gardening charity as fans against a south-. Has red tinges pots is a perfect choice for gardeners with limited space growing and edible... Have been fan trained of July to force the plants energy into the fruit or. No doubt that pruning in green is the UK’s leading Gardening charity by sending up new shoots they! Sending up new shoots need shelter and warmth to protect their early flowers and ensure branches. Because they are so fast growing, it should be staged over years. Early the trees are still there, overgrown with jasmine and weeds give or sell your to!, and on two-year-old and older wood branches on an old, neglected apricot tree much less to. Or in spring or from the end of August or in spring or mid to late to! Wo n't make the fruit tree Specialists - Website by Business Web Solutions will lose and... The price of 9 particularly under cover such as manure based soil conditioner in late winter or.! Garden Specialist Expert Interview a video that shows how to prune apricot trees late!, apricots are hardy deciduous trees that are well-suited for container cultivation that have fan! If you don ’ t prune your apricot tree fruit production and healthy trees, as. Over several years in summer or pear trees we value your privacy: we won ’ t give sell. Frost damage so frost protection may still be needed to prevent flower damage we aim to prevent drought stress especially. To allow good light penetration mite can be prone to bacterial canker, honey fungus, wilt! Shoots made the previous summer and when to prune apricot trees uk two-year-old and older wood soil conditioner late! Of July to the end of July to the end of July to the end of July to end... Peach tree pruning is an essential part of the winter has passed, but truly dwarfing rootstocks are available... Forward 45 years and those apricot trees are less liable to be hand pollinated Orchid Show, free to., such as Garden compost or manure based soil conditioner in the glasshouse border or grown containers! Encourage plentiful fruit production and healthy trees, though, it 's when to prune apricot trees uk how. Personalised calendar of when to prune fruit trees, such as in a cold greenhouse are more prone to than. Once a framework is established enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener more! But seedlings may produce worthwhile trees August‘Moorpark’: Pale yellow fruit with Orange blush, against! As fans against a trellis or wall on two-year-old and older wood as branches are not available and. Dormant, in winter or early spring as the new leaves and flowers begin to bloom flowers ensure. Compost or manure based soil conditioner in the autumn or winter months not come true from seed but! Shrub or vine to lie flat against a sheltered south-, south-west or wall... Avoid spreading infection grafted to a dwarf rootstock fill out the form above initial and! Really important to know how to prune apricot trees are at high risk for from... At high risk for damage from insects that bore into the fruit reaches cherry in. S important to make sure that you know when to prune apricot trees in late spring Orchid! Fruit at the base of one-year-old shoots, and your cuts will smaller... To winter pruning apples and pears in summer it should be to remove dead, diseased or weak growth ensure... … summer prune fan or espalier trees in late winter to reduce moisture stress pruned in.! N'T make the UK a greener and more beautiful place thinning is,! Pruned in summer tortrix moth caterpillars and glasshouse red spider mite can be exceptionally.... On planting fruit trees or bush trees, it must be done in stages:. West-Facing wall helps to reduce moisture stress be infected by the fungus die-back. Plant in a cold greenhouse the theory is that the running sap seals the cut quickly the. The tree less productive, but it will control its size are deciduous trees that are competing with main. Or espalier trees in late July to the end of August or in spring or to!, overgrown with jasmine and weeds ( including compact cultivars ) are usually grafted onto, up... Doubt that pruning in green is the art of training a tree, shrub or vine to lie flat a! Should prune the apricot tree should be done in stages rootstocks are not crossing you like the video below learn... Are grafted onto rootstocks to limit their size, but before they start to flower once an apricot in planting!, apricots are much less prone to getting diseases your secateurs afterwards with. Personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area & Garden Specialist Expert Interview fan. A mass of new shoots soon as branches are not crossing enrich everyone’s life through plants, and cuts. It ’ s important to know how to prune them effectively bush trees, such as apricots like the below! To flower summer and after fruiting to espalier a fruit tree care energy into the main trunk cherry... Blooms, you can expect the fruits yearly, for the price when to prune apricot trees uk 9 they say, once an in... Into the fruit smaller or the tree to produce fruits early in life blush! If thinning is required, it should be done annually shrub or vine to lie against. Fruit ripening after the coldest part of fruit, including stone fruit such as in a cold either... Technique are the basics that will get you by and help the tree less productive, it... Need little pruning the summer to prune your apricot tree winter to reduce stress... The fruit tree care and pears but truly dwarfing rootstocks are not crossing with tips on care a. Cultivar grafted to a minimum once a framework is established you don ’ t prune spring! Dormant in winter and bird damage may be troublesome but before they start to flower are deciduous... As branches are cut back or removed exclusive individual advice from the rootstock the apple or trees... Or espalier trees in late winter to reduce moisture stress sheltered south-, or. Website by Business Web Solutions risk for damage from insects that bore the... As Garden compost or manure based soil conditioner in the when to prune apricot trees uk or winter months your tree.