How To Prune Fruit Trees - Peach, Apple, Fig and more

In this video I will demonstrate and explain how I'm pruning my backyard fruit trees two years after planting them. I'll be pruning peach, nectiplum, aprium, apple, fig, pear, Jujube and more. I'll also show some examples of last years pruning and the results of those pruning cuts.
For more information about this backyard orchard, please see my other backyard orchard videos following the full life cycle of these trees.
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Creating my Orchard (video 1):
How to Plant, Prune, and Irrigate Fruit Trees EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
• How to Plant, Prune, a...
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[@CormacHolland]

I’m in a tree fruit production course through my university right now and these videos are by far the best comparison to a university level course. Keep up the good work.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Wow, thank you so much for your experience based feedback and support! I really appreciate it.

[@zachjones2678]

Is this a good procedure for most/all fruit citrus trees for home garden productions with the same goals? As in 8 foot height etc. working on some fun ones in sw fl - Barbados, Jamaican cherries. Mulberry. Cherry of the rio grande. Have a few lemons and limes and one avocado as well.

[@Maria-Aus]

We have a small acreage and I’ve been wanting to prune new trees but I’m always hesitant to not make mistakes. This was an EXCELLENT video.

[@twontv]

I think you have the best pruning fruit tree videos on KZbin. Thank you for the ongoing lessons. Soooo helpful!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much! My goal is to be as helpful as possible, because I know how intimidating pruning can be

[@carterdbailey]

100% agree!! Easily THE BEST!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

@@carterdbailey thank you Carter!

[@MyTinyFoodForest]

Absolutely the best. You are an amazing teacher

[@urbanfarmstead]

@@MyTinyFoodForest you're very kind

[@HeavenlyLights]

Love that you prune to a no-ladder height

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’ve learned from my mistakes

[@iamthewelcher]

Dude what!?...so I'm literally sifting through pruning videos , thinking 'I wish Kyle had a new one' lol ...then I see a thumbnail only 10 minutes old! Wait..Whaat!?

[@urbanfarmstead]

It was meant to be! 🙌🏼

[@iamthewelcher]

​@@urbanfarmstead I guess so. Really weird though haha

[@nickjohnson4555]

Thank God he returned l thought he was leaving us forever lol

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’ll never leave you

[@nickjohnson4555]

😍😚🥺

[@tsigalko2003]

I like how you showed the pruning with annual comparison. It it super helpful as I'm afraid of making the cuts.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathleenreadinger4614]

This series is a wonderful tool for new fruit tree gardeners. By having the pruning schedule success in the orchard is almost a given. Thank you.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! Definitely!

[@kellykremer7431]

I'm going to need you to drive up to Cottonwood twice a year and maintain a fruit orchard for me! I wish you would do more videos, you make things so easy to understand.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Haha, nah you got this!

[@jd5061]

Watch a couple of your videos, I've learned a lot. I planted over 50 different fruit trees. Thought all I had to do was plant, give it good soil and put mulch down every year. Never thought I needed to prune. My trees look awful, not growing. In my first year, I lost half to the deep freeze 2 winter's ago, and I lost another half to drought. This winter, the deer ate another half. Down to 5 trees out 58. I got 7 that look alive that deer chewed in half. I'm going prune damage off. Maybe they make into bushe. Can I do a heavy pruning in April. I wasn't going to start over, but I decided to. I bought 10 more fruit trees this past weekend. Thought I'd watch some video and found your channel. Great videos.

[@mattsnowboarding]

From another backyard homesteader in Sacramento, really hoping to see more videos on this channel! Really one of my favorite gardening channels

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Matt! Many more to come soon

[@mmmmm49513]

Glad you're back! Gotta post a comment for the yee ole algorithm.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@BethB2010]

Been watching these pruning videos for a couple years and you somehow manage to always find new and informative things to share on this home orchard journey. Thanks for continuing this series it's been amazing seeing your trees grow.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you for following along!

[@sproutingresilience4787]

I agree with everyone else, this is exactly what i was looking for to advance my pruning techniques and knowledge! One of the best out there!

[@fvgamechanger]

My friend keep up the good work. I watch KZbin maybe 4-5 hours a day and this is the best content on the internet in my opinion. You have a gift for this. Please stop whatever else you are doing and focus on these videos. You are a national treasure 🇺🇸

[@colleymon]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on fruit tree pruning! I have learnt so much from you. I hope to have a small orchard like yours. Many blessings to you! 🙏🏾🫵🤙🏽

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much! Best of luck!

[@IVOrganic]

Fantastic step-by-step explanation on pruning your fruit trees for maximum fruit yields & manageable tree sizes- ideal for all backyard orchards! 🤩👍

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@sunnydayz4040]

Welcome back!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@iacovos977]

Regards all the way from Cyprus!!! Many thanks for your videos!!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@shoshanae3830]

WOW AN UPDATE!!!!! I love the way you talk, Kyle. I refer many folks to your videos. Keep 'em coming. 🥰

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@JackCunningham-is7ef]

Thanks for the pruning education. Followed your lead and we put in 18 trees, one to go.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to share! That’s awesome!

[@terigeorge5545]

Glad to see you back 😊. My youngest son is also a fire fighter and his dream is to have big backyard orchard/garden just like Mom. I’ve got to tell him about your channel. It can be done.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to be here! That’s awesome!

[@billthefather]

These tree pruning videos have been so helpful! Thank you for the awesome detailed and informative videos! We are planting a food forest in our central Florida back yard!

[@eleanorbarsic8065]

I love your garden. It's been a joy to watch it change over the years-especially when you were gone for so long during the fires. What a relief to see them well. I really enjoy your concise instructions. Getting ready to do my garden pruning, too.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! Happy pruning!

[@obsessedwithlawnoddswithgr2092]

love your videos where you go back to when u got em like 2yrs ago. keep up the good work. joined you ty

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@silpatiwari9119]

U r inspirational sir. Lots of love from Nepal

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@Nishana99]

now after so much years of hardwork now you can compile a video for each tree with demonstration of result you have got over the years.. one special request for a pruning video of orange tree..

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yep that’s the goal for all 12 trees

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’ll eventually make a citrus pruning series

[@DarElBarka]

These pruners are amazing. I need to get me one so i can prune the way to d. Learned so much from you

[@garrettscott4094]

Ultimately you just gotta get out there and try it. Sure your gonna maybe mess up, but you get better the more you do it.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Exactly! 👍🏻

[@TheOCBackyardGardener]

I like how clean your garden is. Overgrown okra is only good for harvesting the seeds.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! And thanks for the tip!

[@soonzach4017]

You are the very best teacher.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks!

[@The74ealvarez]

Best pruning video I’ve seen. Well explained. Thank you so so much.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carriechen4936]

Thanks for posting a video, Kyle! Haven’t seen you in a long time. Hope you’re okay with keeping up with all the emergencies and staying safe!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to share! I’ve been busy with some large projects here, but I’ll have videos for those coming soon!

[@jacebenson3490]

Glad to see you're back. Been missing the videos. I live in Sacramento as well and just got a .29 acre lot. Planted 15 fruit trees so far. Probably gonna do another 15 here shortly. Looking forward to the days when I get to prune them back.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! That sounds like a rad property!

[@np.e]

Nice, thanks for taking time to document this. Well done and thoughtfully explained.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you. It’s my pleasure

[@LindsayHaven]

Clicked, liked, and commented. Maybe I'll have something more insightful later, but just wanted to say it was a welcome sight to see your video and I appreciate your commitment to showing us the ongoing process of growing a small orchard.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much!

[@user-xx3di5gu3c]

I would gladly watch separate videos about each tree prune-grow progress to see which cut has specific effect. Plus fertilizing and fruit thinning, it seems you have all that recorded.

[@jo-annjewett198]

Thanks for all the good pruning info. We planted about 20 fruit trees, some in pots. I am following the same method and did the hard prune at knee high except a couple fruit trees that came with too big of a caliper. Those I left taller with a “nurse”branch and am waiting for three buds to make a good scaffold and will then shorten the trees accordingly.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! Sounds like you’ve got a nice orchard going

[@oceanbreezesuburbanfarm]

Whoo hoo! Thanks. Planted my first 3 fruit trees last month.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Awesome!

[@zackmomin3486]

Thank you! It's very helpful for my fruits tree!

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’m glad you found it helpful

[@savymanda]

Frikin' love this series! So helpful. Thanks for another awesome video.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Amanda!

[@milkweed7678]

Great video! You are better and explain better than those from a nursery or university. Thanks!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I know pruning can be intimidating, so my hope is to demystify it

[@jeffcarter1641]

It is really helpful to watch the effect your earlier prunings have had. I just planted 6 trees that are young that will require pruning. I was really scared to cut them back like you did but after seeing how yours are going has given me the confidence to do so this winter.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@forx88]

I can't wait to teach this to my grandkids and tell them "I learned it from Kyle"

[@urbanfarmstead]

Haha, thanks!

[@lauras5312]

Thanks for sharing your talents.

[@urbanfarmstead]

My pleasure 😊

[@StreetMachine18]

i deff needed this video!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great!

[@pannini21]

Lets go! So happy to get another video from you, binged a bunch of your videos and then saw you haven't posted in half a year and was wondering when we could get some more great content! I cannot wait to buy a bit of land to try farming and tree planting for myself, but I guess it will have to wait until i get out of college. Much love and good luck in your work and plants!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! And best of luck with your future property

[@elizabethmatheson-sugarloaf]

Your pruning videos are the best. Thank you for your knowledge and thorough demonstration.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy them!

[@soonzach4017]

You are the best pruning fruit tree channel on KZbin. Thank you for sharing.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@creatorpetani]

The best pruning video

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@staroxiasgarden9700]

Thank you for making the process simple enough for me to understand! Best pruning video! Much appreciated!

[@urbanfarmstead]

My pleasure! Thanks!

[@porkapua957]

Thank you for taking your time to teach us all your gardening experience! Very helpful

[@urbanfarmstead]

It’s my pleasure!

[@Lulu-dz5wj]

Yay 😀 I’ve been waiting for your videos since the last ones in summer. Thank you for the detailed information. In the future I’d like to see you grafting, maybe notching and growing spindle and espalier shaped trees.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! Yeah, when I do that I’ll certainly make videos for it

[@catherinecollier2727]

Fantastic tutorial on pruning. Love all your videos. Kyle!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@emmanuelrosas1166]

Thank you very much for your videos, I also planted several fruit trees when you started, and every time I prune I do it with greater confidence because from you I have learned the purposes of pruning and how to prune: a good structure that allows more aeration, sufficient capture of sun (so that branches of some tree do not cover another), ease in fruit collection, and obtain higher productions.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! Yes, that’s exactly it!

[@steverobinson5492]

Excellent!! I have watched a good number of pruning videos and your is top notch......no nonsense and to the point. Thanks!!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I appreciate your feedback

[@keithreay]

What we have in your forever-library that none in history had is a video guide of trimming, reasons why you pruned, and thoughts and suggestions, of which we can always reference in years to come and weigh that progress against what you have done in the past. What a great treasure your channel has, and will continue to, provided. 👏👏👏

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Keith! That’s exactly my goal and I’m glad you and others are finding it a valuable tool. Thank you for your support!

[@margaretmarshall3645]

So true! This is a fantastic teaching series, and I am grateful for ALL the wonderful instruction available us nowadays on KZbin! Do it yourself projects and lifelong learning have never been so easy. 😊

[@Reject06]

Been enjoying watching the play list. Excited to see how these trees will be once you start transitioning out of the forming stages.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! They have a nice crop coming on right now

[@ethanallenhawley1052]

Thank you for these videos.

[@CurtisBrandt]

Thank you for another highly-anticipated installment in this wonderful series!

[@urbanfarmstead]

My pleasure! Thank you

[@onlyamazinggrace]

Thank you. This was a very helpful video!

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@joekunin]

Thanks for all the great information. Clear, concise, and a well organized. Appreciate all your hard work.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you Joe

[@theupsidetotheoutside883]

Sweet garden. I find it more interesting since I live in Sac too. I’m taking notes

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@Sarah-zq5ld]

More videos please! You have soo much information that so many people need!! 😊

[@urbanfarmstead]

Many more to come

[@emmanuelV37]

Awesome video! Honestly I did not know that proper tree trimming had so much to it! I've learned a ton from this series and will put it to good use on the tree in my garden! So thank you for the awesome educational content!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful

[@emmanuelV37]

@@urbanfarmstead yes absolutely! Your videos are awesome!

[@deannaattai9097]

This was the clearest pruning video I've seen, thanks so much!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! I really appreciate your feedback!

[@meghancmahoney]

Hi Kyle, would love to see a video on thinning the fruit from a tree!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great! I’ll create one here eventually, but in the meantime I do have an IG reels I made for it this spring

[@dan_kron]

Your videos are always a real treat, so informative and helpful while also fun and laid back. Thanks for all you do!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Dan!

[@RoninXiC]

Such a lovely and informative video. Always a pleasure to watch them.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@WanderingBobAK]

Snow is still flying and am watching orchid and bonsai vids. Glad this one popped up, very well presented, neat and concise easy to follow. Saving for review when needed in a couple of months. Thanks!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Sounds like a great time for planning! Thank you

[@NKYHoneyBees]

I'm watching this and started following your tips last fall. You definitely know what you're doing. great tips for fruit trees. love it. It keeps my trees healthy for my honeybees :) Thanks for making these videos.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@shaysummers3520]

Thank you for your continued follow up on fruit tree pruning. You demonstrated the process so well, and it's easy to follow and understand. I appreciate your willingness to help others!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I’m happy to share my process

[@heatherwinter894]

Thank you so much for the content! Consise and informative, I've watched a few videos on the same topic the past few days and this is the best by far

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! That’s the goal, so I appreciate your feedback and support

[@shredmetalshred7395]

This is awesome. Congrats.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@martini007m]

Keep it up! You should do workshops! I really enjoy your content.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I plan to soon

[@KALSINFILMS]

Thanks I learned a lot. I am in a similar stuation. Small Yard. lost of Trees .Thanks.

[@urbanfarmstead]

My pleasure!

[@icsouls]

Awesome video, 😀

[@WiredPirate1]

Hyped to open KZbin and see you made another pruning video! I learn so much from your videos, especially the pruning guides. Knowing how to prune my trees gives me the confidence to plant them - I’m growing dozens now. Appreciate you so much for that! Keep it going!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I’m glad you are finding my videos helpful

[@emmayeager5864]

These videos are so helpful. Thank you!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@SandstormGT]

Nice to see a new upload! I enjoy your channel!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@mayshomesteadchronicles]

Sweet, great information. Your trees look happy. Good work

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@MP-js5ro]

Yay!! Been waiting for ya! I have several multi grafted trees that I can't fully follow your teachings with because the grafts are all at different levels...would love a video on multi-grafts. Thanks for your videos - FL 9b/10a

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! I don’t have multi grafts in this space yet, but I do have them in others and I use the same process as these trees

[@MP-js5ro]

@@urbanfarmstead TY I will do my best!!

[@winrockywin331]

Great video! Tons of helpful info.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@oasisoflasvegas7925]

Awesome thanks!

[@gardentherapySOS]

Always look forward to your videos. Hands down the best on youtube! I would love to see how you fertilize your fruit trees!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I haven’t ever fertilized them yet, but will make a video this year when I do.

[@darinbennett3638]

Kyle, welcome back to YT! Glad to see how the orchard is growing after a couple years of growth. Hope all is well.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! Very busy, but all is great!

[@bjornjoseph]

Broke my heart first time I pruned 😂 I felt so bad

[@debquilt]

Thanks so much for all the info. Really appreciate it. 😊

[@urbanfarmstead]

My pleasure

[@susanmitchell2687]

New subscriber here after seeing Laura GA give you a ‘shout out’..doing some fig rooting… cheers.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Awesome, thanks! I’m not sure if I’m familiar with her channel, but I’ll have to check it out!

[@SuerteDelMolinoFarm]

Thanks for sharing. I'm learning. Now I have to prune 500 year old Holm Oaks.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to share!

[@thedivide3688]

Such great information!!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@carterdbailey]

YES!! I love these videos! I just planted 6 fruit trees this week (2 peach, 2 fig, and 2 pear) in region 8b and I'm about to prune to knee/pocket height on the peach and pear trees (fig trees are already small). Taking off two thirds of the tree height for peaches and pears. Then I will paint trunks with 50% white latex paint and 50% water mixture. Trees are 6 feet apart on center. Each tree is in a 3'x3' x 1' tall raised bed for better drainage. (I have very bad clay soil) Thanks for these incredibly helpful videos!! Have I missed anything?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Awesome! Sounds like you’ve got it!

[@carterdbailey]

@@urbanfarmstead Thank you!! Your videos have been a HUGE help! I have all 6 trees in a row along my back fence, 3 feet away from the fence. I'm hoping I can prune to achieve a 6' diameter canopy space on each tree.

[@urbanfarmstead]

@@carterdbailey sounds like a good plan

[@SageMamoo]

I plan to do the exact same thing. We have clay soil and will build the small raised beds to put our trees in just like he did

[@mariajuarez5167]

NEW SUBSCRIBER AFTER WATCHING YOUR DREAM GARDEN SHORT VIDEO.

[@PepperGeek]

Great series - can you share *what type of camera/lens you use* to film? Love the quality of your footage. Keep it up!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I use the Sony FX3 with the 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master. I have a link to those and all of the video related equipment I use in the video description if you click the “garden products I use” link.

[@Nikki-st8qz]

Thank you so much! I think it’s time to go check out my apple trees for pruning!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yeah, do it!

[@Nikki-st8qz]

@@urbanfarmstead where do you find the wooden spacers?

[@angrybees8122]

Damn Kyle, my heart hurts everytime i watch you prune your trees... all that potential fruittttttttt 🥺😭

[@urbanfarmstead]

Proper pruning like this promotes more and better fruit. Trust the process

[@angrybees8122]

@@urbanfarmstead no i know but still

[@tcsadt]

At 10:00 try to bring those apple scaffolds lower to force a wider tree with lower height. This will increase fruiting wood with stronger branching that are easier to harvest. Lots of vigorous growth you have created.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yeah, that’s the plan with the spacers, and I think it should do the trick, but are you suggesting I should just prune them further back rather than using the spacers, or do both?

[@ayatti26]

Well Done.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@tammy6816]

Thank you for such informative content! Laura from Garden Answer mentioned you in her new video and I had to stop by and check out your fig propagation video. I’ve watched several of your videos since and subscribed. I look forward to learning from you!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That was kind of Laura to mention me

[@higginside]

I just found your channel and accidentally watched all the fruit tree videos, lol. Something I plan on doing with my trees that perhaps would also interest you... cover cropping below the trees bot with a winter cover crop and summer cover crop. Could be of interest if you wanted to plant something between the trees

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank! Glad you’re enjoying them! Yes, that’s a great idea and definitely something I’ve been considering

[@BigBudde]

Thank you!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to share