Connecticut State The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Pruning and Fruit Bearing of Common Tree Fruit in Connectciut

PP045 (12/97R)

By Dr. Sharon M. Douglas
Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
123 Huntington Street
P. O. Box 1106
New Haven, CT 06504-1106

Telephone: (203) 974-8601 Fax: (203) 974-8502
Email: Sharon.Douglas@ct.gov

Since pruning, training, and fruit bearing are not the same for all tree fruit, as follows is a summary of this information for the major tree fruit grown in Connecticut. Diagrams to supplement this information are available upon request.

Fruit Habit Training Position of Fruit Buds
Annual Shoots		 Position of Fruit Buds
Sprus		 Life of Spur Pruning
Apple Upright, spreading Modified leader, central leader Some Most 12-15 yrs Light, dormant (February, March)
Apricot Upright, spreading Modified leader, open Some Most 3-4 yrs Heavy, late winter, early spring (March, April, May)
Cherry, sour Spreading Modified leader Some Most 10-12 yrs Very light, dormant(February, March)
Cherry, sweet Upright Modified leader Some Most 10-12 yrs Very light, dormant (February, March)
Nectarine Spreading Open center Most Few ---- Very heavy, early spring (April, May)
Peach Spreading Open center Most Few ---- Very heavy, early spring (April, May)
Pear Upright Leader Some Most 10-12 yrs Very light, dormant (February, March)
Plum, European Various Modified leader Some Most 6-8 yrs Light thinning, dormant (March)
Plum, Japanese Various Open or delayed open Some Most 6-8 yrs Heavy thinning, dormant (March)
Quince Shrubby Open or delayed open All ---- ---- Light thinning, dormant (March)

Summary

Pruning, training, and fruit bearing are not the same for all tree fruit. This fact sheet provides guidelines for pruning and training the common tree fruit grown in Connecticut. Information on growth habit, training, position of fruit buds, annual pruning requirements, lifespan of fruiting spurs, and timing of pruning are covered.