Fruit Tree Pruning Nelson/Tasman – Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, Motueka.

Fruit Tree Pruning in Nelson/Tasman – Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, Motueka.

Pruning fruit trees in Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, and Motueka, are my specialty and there is little I find more rewarding than spending time in someones garden, working a fruit tree into its strongest and most healthy shape to support its fruit at a height that is suitable for you to harvest!

Timing of year for pruning your fruit trees is often considered ONLY for winter, this is NOT true.

The reason for this way of thinking is that because the leaves are off the fruit tree the 'framework/scaffolding' of the tree is totally visible and this allows the work to be done quicker and more efficiently.

Spring fruit tree pruning also has its advantages due to being able to see where the fruiting and Branching wood is growing from. Again, allowing more precise cuts to be made to the advantage of the fruit tree, and also you.

Once this fruit tree pruning is done during winter/spring the best time to follow up with a second prune, is straight after you have harvested your fruit.

As the rest of the new growth during the summer can then be directed into growing where it is required to promote more fruit the following season (otherwise most of this wood is cut off the following winter), and also in the direction that is best suitable for your fruit tree and location!

This is also a great time to work in fruit trees as it's warm and sunny (aren't we privileged to live in this region) which is advantageous to all of us. Fruit tree pruning in Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, and Motueka, respond well to having bigger cuts made (larger branch removal to promote stronger shape/framework) during summer, because it’s warmer the cuts heal quicker and there is also less chance of disease, etc.

I am not pushing for you to engage my fruit tree pruning services twice in a season to prune your trees – I am just offering you options to consider what may work best for you.

Once your fruit trees have been directed to where you are happy with the shape/height, then one pruning a year will be paramount to continue with their management to ensure the fruit tree does not become unruly, as we know how fast things can grow in this beautiful climate here.

As I often say to clients that planting a fruit tree is the easy bit – it’s the continual management there after (especially in the first five years) to build your fruit tree with a strong shape to encourage healthy limbs to bear healthy fruit.

I am looking forward to hearing from you to discuss any questions you may have. Whether you’re in Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, or Motueka, I’m here to help with all your fruit tree pruning needs!