How To Prune Fruit Trees For SMALL Size And MAXIMUM Production!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you found this video helpful, please "Like" it and share it to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😀TIMESTAMPS here: 0:00 Introduction To Pruning Trees 0:47 Lesson #1: Why We Prune Fruit Trees 1:41 Lesson #2: When To Prune Fruit Trees 3:14 Lesson #3: How Much To Prune A Tree 4:03 Lesson #4: Pruning Tools 4:37 Lesson #5: Pruning Cuts 7:57 Pruning Demonstration: Thinning A Tree 12:12 Pruning Demonstration: Bench Cut 13:43 Pruning Demonstration: Heading / Tipping 17:05 Strengthening Weak Branches 18:08 How To Graft A Fruit Tree With Scion Wood 21:48 Adventures With Dale

[@galemckamy8869]

Where did you get tools from?

[@alushamcketty498]

Hi, thanks for the information you share! Invaluable! Regarding the cut branches, could you root new fruit trees from them? Thanks again for your time.

[@Paul-ec6ib]

Just a note, the process of tipping is to stop aapical dominance. The tip produces an inhibitor that prevents growth . The nearer the tip, the less growth as the inhibitor is of lower concentration the further from the tip.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

@@Paul-ec6ib but that would be a heading cut, in that case, to balance the tree. I tip to encourage new fruiting wood and head to discourage apical dominance.

[@DawnaRo]

Where is the link to the tools you use? This is the best video on pruning fruit trees I've seen yet! Comprehensive and easy to understand. I'm excited about grafting. Now where do I find those tools???

[@GunninWizard]

Wow this was like the master class on pruning. Everything you needed to know without having to watch a 2 hour video. Good stuff

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@B30pt87]

I know, right?

[@fivenine2]

Just what I was thinking

[@kelanitaiwo4742]

Thank you very much I enjoy your simple and clear explanation.

[@josephgrant2913]

​@The0😅0MillennialGardener

[@natandessie]

this was the MOST helpful video I have seen YET. Thank you! I learned so much!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re very welcome! I’m glad the video was helpful for you.

[@danaramey6519]

I have been so afraid to prune my apple tree. After watching this (excellent job) I feel so much more confident. You explained it better than anybody I have watched. Thanks a bunch!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Apples are interesting, because they fruit off spurs. They look like chicken feet toes. Do not cut them off or you won’t have fruit. Google search “apple fruit spur.” Don’t cut them off.

[@danaramey6519]

@@TheMillennialGardener oh no, now I’m scared again. Lol

[@CookbooksonRepeat]

@@TheMillennialGardeneryes!! We heavily pruned our apple tree at our new house and we had almost zero apples. When we moved in, it was totally laden with fruit. It had been ignored for decades though and needed a good prune. I think it takes 2 years for new spurs to produce fruit?

[@tracygardner9244]

He really did! I'm more comfortable trying to do it now, but I'll be playing this video while I do it 😂

[@jacopodanglars4836]

i tend to learn how to grow by watching how nature grow. put it simple, nature is rough, dont be gentle, and you’ll get better yield by not babying it.

[@florisklein536]

Sorry to correct you, I did a master in plant science. The growth hormone you’re talking about is Auxin. It’s produced in the plant apical buds (apical dominance) right at the tip where new cells are forming, suppressing indeed the axillary buds. So it’s not moving up the stem and collecting there but moving from the tip down the stem. However, still enjoyed your video. Thanks!

[@TrizollinTehWorld]

You are the best gardening youtuber. I've only watched about 3 of your videos but you explain things so well and you get straight to the point in an easy to understand way. I also love the way you give examples and show how and why you're doing it. Keep up the great work!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I really appreciate that. I'm an engineer, so I try to frame everything like those research reports you'd write in science class back in grade school, if that makes sense.

[@TrizollinTehWorld]

@@TheMillennialGardener It definitely does. Your video about pruning the tomato suckers was eye opening and it made so much sense. I stopped pruning the suckers off mine and one of the suckers already has 4 flowers growing and it's not even 2 inches long. Thanks for helping me maximize my fruit growth.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

Others have already said this but it needs to be said again....this is the best video I have ever seen on pruning. Many videos just point and talk rather than doing the actual cuts. And this was a whole tree. I am ready to go out and prune my 3 year old trees now. I especially feel comfortable trimming back the central leaders to keep the trees short. Thank you!

[@Brmmsilva]

Probably the best pruning video I've ever seen. Clear, concise and effective. I've been watching your videos for a few days now and this one absolutely earned my subscription.

[@lidiagoedeke5572]

Hi, it us April now. ( zone 7, in PA) I dud not prune in Feb. is it too late to prune ? I have some buds almost pushing green leaves, other trees- no buds yet..

[@Gkrissy]

One of the best pruning videos I’ve seen in a while. Thank you for the closeups and explanation of the budding direction, I never understood that but now I understand.

[@pamskinner9490]

This is the first time I've seen one of your videos; the topic is what caught my attention. I've had 2 apple trees for 20 - 30 yrs. They were purchased as "Dwarf" but were mislabeled. The past two decade I've just been cutting the "uprights" to remove height. (You're probably cringing.) I'm in my 70's and was going to just cut them down this year because I don't have the energy or conficence to climb a ladder every year to trim the heights. As I sat listening, taking notes, and watching you show "how to", I thanked God for the hope I have for being able to correctly prune the remaining one which has amazing fruit production each year, a lot is just to high up for me to harvest. (The other one had extreme thinning/cutting a month ago.) All to say ... thank you so much for your excellent video!!!

[@kingjames4886]

I've seen people use a tool that's kinda like a net on a stick to harvest high-up fruit without a ladder. maybe something to look into. ;)

[@pamskinner9490]

@@kingjames4886 . Great suggestion, and I actually used one years ago to access citrus fruit! I've seen them on "Lehman's" website but keep forgetting to check local stores to see if I can avoid ordering online. Thank you for the reminder.

[@jewellevy]

​@@kingjames4886te J

[@thrilleex]

Is it ever to late to prune ? I have a couple of 3yo cherry trees, have never pruned, right now they have plenty of leaves, should I prune now or wait till next winter ?

[@jacobdachauer4377]

I really love your videos. I've watched many pruning videos, and never felt confident. I still tried pruning my trees, but never really knew what I was doing. This really helps me, and I immediately ran out and did a few more prunes that I'm hoping will help my trees grow more fruit. Thank you for the excellent videos as always!

[@Icetor01]

Safety tip: wear eye protection while doing this - don't want to end up in the ER with a splinter in your eye!

[@kenbrown438]

I volunteer in a community garden ; your video is our new Pruning 101 Training Film !!!! Thanks a bunches for your expertise and excellent explanation of pruning trees !!!! We'll keep watching 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 !!!!

[@TexasNana2]

You're an excellent teacher. 😊 Glad Dale had a good time at Grandpa''s house ❤🐕

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! Dale gave us the cold shoulder for 2 days for dropping him off for a week, but he’s back to normal.

[@DawnaRo]

​@@TheMillennialGardener Please give us the links you promised. That's the only thing that keeps this from being the best pruning and grafting video on the internet. It's to the point, concise and not too long.

[@johnwunderlich95]

I watched multiple videos on doing this, and yours was by far the most thorough and educational of them. Thanks for posting this.

[@nathanaelstunt7317]

Don't forget that pruning hard in June is also extremely important to control the tree's growth and encourage the productivity of the tree's energy into fruit growth.

[@ItsAllApsyop]

You know if that neighbor was cool, he'd be like, "yeah, John's a cool guy so I'm gonna let some of these branches grow into his yard so he can have some free apples." But that wasn't the case. CLEARLY, John is not worthy! 😂

[@meghanmacrae6195]

The rationale behind your choices was very helpful. Thank you for a true instructional video!

[@gioknows]

I think I may have to watch this video a few times. I have a lot of fruit trees at my house and I think I've done a good job for the most part but I now recognize I have made a few small mistakes over the last few years. Great info. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada🍁

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The best way to learn how to prune is to prune. I’m sure I didn’t make all perfect cuts, either, but the tree will do well.

[@nancyholston6746]

Thank you for all the pruning info. I have a 30+ year old pear that needs a LOT of tender loving care. Thank you for all of the pointer and especially for the comment of "you are NOT trimming a hedge"!😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I hope you give it a good haircut.

[@markwheaton6768]

Great video, remember to clean your pruners before you start and before you move to another tree.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching!

[@dawnbowie352]

My goodness, that's a supurbly detailed tutorial! Easy to understand and truly helpful to those of us learning to manage our fruit trees. Thank you!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@mitchdafish3025]

I’ve read and watched so much about pruning, but my poor trees have been quaking as they see me coming. It never made sense when I looked at my actual trees. With your video I finally understand what is needed and why. I have just moved to a home with an overgrown orchard with many tall leaders, water-shoots and very long, thin, low laterals. I’ve removed the dead and crossing branches but the rest confused me. I feel much more confident now to help them out. Thank you so much.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The thing about pruning is that it actually rejuvenates trees. In nature, trees don't live their maximum lives, because dead wood accumulates, branches grow into the tree, insect pests invade the dead/dying wood, etc. Pruning actually extends the tree's life and vigor. It's also not in a tree's best interest to fruit heavily. They only need to produce "enough" seed to reproduce. But when humans intervene, a tree can afford to produce a lot more fruit since we're doing it a service by getting rid of all the dead wood and keeping great airflow and light penetration into the canopy. A well-pruned tree will fruit more and live longer, believe it or not, in the same way that domestication extends an animal's life much longer than living in the wild since so many bad things happen in the wild.

[@mitchdafish3025]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thank you for responding- that’s an interesting point of view. I was looking at the trees again today and will definitely make some changes.

[@rxosu7]

Oh my gosh. This has to be the best, most detailed pruning video I have ever watched. I learned so much. Thank you for all your work you do on your channel

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@michaeldufresne9428]

I don't have any fruit trees, but if I did I would feel a lot of confidence going forward with pruning after this excellent video.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You can also apply these principles to non-fruiting trees. If you have flowering trees like dogwoods or bradford pear trees, or if you're just pruning a tree in general, most of these principles hold up.

[@Rachad2317]

Wawo, an amazing lesson for a beginner (me) 😊. Thank you for this informative video. Is it possible to see the (after result) down the road for this tree (leaves and fruits). Thanks

[@beth272]

Yes I'd love to see how it grows too...luv your work from Australia

[@austintrees]

Stefan Sobkowiak's pruning teachers have a great book... "Growing Fruit Trees: Novel Concepts & Practices for Successful Care & Management" By: Jean-marie Lespinasse & Evelyn Leterme

[@ianl5882]

This was very helpful! I think I can can do it 👍💯👍🏻😎🙏🏻

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@linaD08]

What a fantastic video on everything one needs to properly prune fruit trees. Great explanations and most importantly a really clear visual on how to do it!!!👏👏👏 Thank you!! I would love to see how the tree you pruned fruits this coming season!!

[@hurryup1999]

Great video! I’ve watched many many videos on pruning and they all leave something out. This one is very thorough and covers everything!

[@thesetruths1404]

I'm in Western Colorado at about 6,500 feet elevation, zones 5/6. It usually doesn't reach under 0F, but occasionally will touch -5F for a short couple of hours. This month I planted 7 fruit trees that are about 4ft tall, from #5 buckets. 3 apple (2 varieties), 2 identical plum, and 2 different peaches. They are all within 50' of each other. I bought these locally. When I find them, I'm going to plant 4 more fruit trees, 2 of each pear and "fruit cocktail" trees (plum, nectarine, peach and apricot) within 20 feet of the first 7 trees. I am concerned with proper pollination as this has been an issue in the past with my garden. I do what I can to attract more bees by putting sugar water in the yard that feeds the humming birds too. I'm wondering if the sugar water is counterproductive though...and distracts the bees instead 😆. Two questions: 1. Why are some saying that pollination is best between two different varieties of apples, pears and plums? Why can't the trees be the same variety to pollinate each other? 2. I plan on keeping the trees under 10 feet tall, and making the young branches grow more horizontal than upward to make them bushy and easier to access. I've read this also makes the trees stronger and grow faster. And if necessary I can cover them easily on those abnormal deeper cold spells. Have you experienced this, or tried any methods to make them grow outward, more horizontally? Thanks! Chris

[@jamesbackyard7192]

Iv watched dozens of pruning videos, and this one was still super informative.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stefaniekuhlman6457]

OK. It's 'spring' here in MN, w our March Madness storm coming. Bought this house last year. What I thought was a crab apple tree, & almost cut down, turned out to be an amazing tasty juicy questionable Honey Crisp. It's super tall w tons of apples I couldn't reach. Can I lop it off? We have little buds already. It's the thought of I don't want to drag my huge ladder out.

[@astwoplancks]

Thank you so much, I've got a bunch of trees to prune now that you've taught me what to do!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m glad I could help!

[@nancy2568]

Thank you! I have 3 peach trees and didn't know how to properly prune them, it's too late this year, but I will be putting to use what I learned here. Two of my trees are store bought, but the third is my baby as I was able to sprout it from a pit, and so far it has exploded with blossoms.

[@thesetruths1404]

Also, the 7 trees I planted are about 4 to 5' tall, and I assume they are about 2 years old. They were well-leafed and even had fruit growing on the peach trees (just 1 or 2 on both). Should I prune them after a couple to 4 weeks, or leave them alone for the first season? I should remove the immature fruit and flowers right, this first year, for sure? Thanks!

[@juliemcgugan1244]

I'm in Peyia, Cyprus and our winter has been anything but cold! not only did most of our deciduous trees not lose their leaves, but a few, including the apple (Anna,) even continued flowering! So now, I'm really of two minds how (and if) to go about applying a winter tree wash and pruning.

[@Desertphile]

This is a huge help for my apple tree projects: thank you. I am indeed afraid of making mistakes.

[@greatvaluegameplay598]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ we have 2 peach trees for like 5 years and i dont think they ever been pruned they are giant and snapped in 6 places during a storm lastyear. Im Going To chop the heck out of these trees after watching this video.

[@jeanku]

This is one of the types of knowledge meant to be shared, when the internet was created... thank you again for great content.

[@tigger6186]

This is the most informative video on fruit tree pruning that I've seen yet. I have an apricot tree that I've been afraid to prune because I didn't want to over do it. After watching this video I am very confident that I can do it now.

[@howardfowler2255]

Does the pruning you did in the video help curb alternate- bearing in ,say,apple trees or. should a person thin the fruit that has set on the fruit tree? Or does doing these two jobs,pruning and thinning,help prevent alternate- bearing? Thanks for this very helpful video!

[@stevelippia6960]

This video blew my mind. I have been around trees...worked in my yard for decades and had no idea how much there is to learn about tree pruning...and the amazing possibilities it provides when you know what you're doing! Your presentation is excellent! So packed with information, compact, articulate...so helpful! Don't change a thing! I'm a fan/student, now.

[@DavidLeather-m5j]

This is an excellent video, why do we prune, how to prune and how to graft all in one place. I'm certainly more confident now in what to do with my apple tree.

[@susancooper145]

I really enjoy all your gardening posts. Don’t miss a one. Thank you for sharing. Question- my fruit trees were planted in 2023 as bare root stock. They don’t need pruning yet. How old should they be when pruning begins? Blessings!

[@PDXMW1]

I’d wager your 2023 trees do need pruning. Pruning young trees is important to set a good foundation for the future. Young trees are resilient, just remember to never remove more than a third of the tree’s canopy any given year- whether 2 feet or 20 feet tall.

[@susancooper145]

@@PDXMW1 even my fig trees? How much to take off each branch?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! The answer to your question is they need to be pruned every year during dormancy. In fact, the younger your tree, the *more* you need to prune it. You will be shaping your tree the most in the first 1-3 years. That is when you actually develop its form. After the first 4-5 years, it becomes more just maintenance. The older trees actually get pruned less, because they're already shaped and you're just controlling the growth. It's when they're young that you are the most heavy-handed.

[@MichaelRei99]

This video was so thorough, so informative I feel like a fruit tree trimming expert!! I can’t leave my dog with anyone when we go away. I have to have him home with one of my kids because he gets so depressed. Glad to see Dale all comfy on his throne!!

[@kimkearney5914]

Wow, that's the best explanation of why and how to cut that I've heard. I've been afraid to trim my trees, but your explanation makes it much easier. Thank

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@toddvogelsberg2355]

Thank you for the helpful information! I knew it was nearing time that i need to prune my peach tree and i was a little nervous about it.. even though i have pruned it in the past i always feel like im doing something wrong with it but your video dropped at a perfect time! i feel less nervous about getting it pruned this year!

[@kerri6499]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! My husband and I have been completely lost when it comes to pruning. This video was incredibly helpful!

[@jerrymoore838]

Thank you so much. I have 2 pear trees that haven't been touched in at least 10 years. Ready to do the necessary pruning after watching your much appreciated video

[@JoeBlimey]

This was an excellent tutorial and, like someone else mentioned, more like a master class. All the best with your channel!

[@alex-sd]

Excellent pruning info but I found out while pruning my plum tree, I need to wear safety glasses. I highly recommend everyone to do the same.

[@GardeningwithDave]

Thank you for posting this video as I was feeling nervous to start pruning my fruit trees. Hopefully I can air layer a few branches 😂.

[@gdibble]

🌳 The thing I appreciate about this pruning guide is the attention to detail of the buds and their direction of growth. 🍊 _Thanks for this video, and keep up the great work!_

[@kalizya]

😮😮😮😮😮 my mind is blown. Tipping all my trees tomorrow!! Thanks.

[@michellebatista9702]

Is it too late to prune my apple trees? They have already started to bloom. I live in Virginia

[@HGD70]

I have a neglected honey crisp apple that I’m ready to start pruning tomorrow

[@MarthaFaey]

Thanks for dating the video vocally. And also stating your growing zone. That helps a lot.

[@jesusflores7323]

I feel comfortable pruning all our trees EXCEPT Citrus trees. It seems like there's no good time to prune them. For example right now we've picked a majority off our lime tree so you'd think it's text book window to prune, BUT there's already baby limes and more flowers on it already. Do you guys just accept that you must sacrifice those baby limes and flowers and go ahead anyways or is pick your limes early say a month ago to get ahead of new flower buds forming?

[@EducatedSkeptic]

I know what you mean ... we have a Meyer lemon and orange tree inside, and the flowers are coming along in December and January just as the fruit is getting ripe! When pruning, I have to look for what is good inside the room. So, I just bite my lip and cut. BUT, living on the Canadian border as we do, I've bought a couple pole lamps and some 200-watt equivalent (20 watts, actually) LED plant bulbs, and put them on timers. The trees are both doing great and growing just fine. Don't have a lot of flowers yet to set fruit for NEXT winter, but I can be patient. We've harvested as many as 14 oranges so far, on a dwarf tree 5 feet tall; the lemon is new as of last year, and hasn't yet produced.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Some citrus trees fruit on a bit of an everbearing pattern. My Key Lime flowers randomly all throughout the year, so it's always carrying some amount of fruit. I shape it the best I can. You can prune that tree periodically throughout the year. When you harvest the fruits off the branches, cut those branches back, but only those. Over the course of the year, you'll eventually get them all.

[@EducatedSkeptic]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks! Have actually done that, but come to realize the orange is a bit like our apple trees: bears heavy fruit only every other year.

[@nina-roselegion5417]

Thank you for this post. Now I can prune my 5 year-old apple tree with more confidence. Subscribed !

[@TheRealHonestInquiry]

Excellent explanation! Added to my public Gardening & Permaculture playlist.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@davidpatrick1813]

I need this .. started chopping yesterday. I will have to watch this again and wait until the rain breaks and go for it again

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@desireedd]

This video was right on time as I water and debate on pruning my figs, persimmons and vining berries. Thank you!

[@glyptodongaming5629]

This is the exact video I needed to see. Apples and pears for me. Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@dorothyfu7540]

MillennialGardener: I really really appreciate your teaching tree pruning in this video. Thank you. My only recommendation is for you to wear a bright coloured shirt (red, white) so it's easier for the viewers to see, especially when the background and the tree branches, etc. are all grayish.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks! It was very cold and windy when I filmed this video, and almost all my heavy clothing is darker colored. My hands were frozen by the end. Something about winter time and dark colors...

[@scotte2477]

Indeed. It's cultural in cold areas of the world, for us to wear dark colours during winter. I wear my summer colours in winter to keep my mood up. 😎 ​@@TheMillennialGardener

[@bigguix]

is this still applicable for a very cold climate ? I live in Québec where it gets very cold. I have plums and cherry trees i could prune

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It does not matter. Trees grow the same in Canada as they do in the US. The only things that changes is the exact date you’ll prune. You’ll prune a little later than we will.

[@juliepayn7696]

Excellent presentation, thank you for teaching the way to trim the trees. You're easy to understand and get right to the point.

[@the0prynce]

How did I never know about that grafting tool?? Good stuff man! Pruning is scary at first but now it's one of my favorite garden activities. As soon as the leaves fall off I'm circling my trees like a hyena, thinking about where I'd prune if I were pruning.

[@MissWoggy]

The best pruning video I’ve ever watched! I’m ready to do it now.😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m so happy it was helpful!

[@bethberry320]

Thank you so much. This is so helpful. I appreciate how you explain why each cut is made and the hormone activity. That makes things so much clearer. This step-by-step has really given me confidence to prune my backyard orchard.

[@Frank-Reyess]

Hello Beth, How are you doing?

[@Earthy-Artist]

Thank you☺! How did you know I was procrastinating about pruning my fruit trees for the first time? Going to re watch your video and then just go for it. I needed that push to 'just do it' instead of watching a zillion videos about it. 🐶Dale has thee life!! My dog has a similar set up & loves to be covered by her blanket.

[@sholoy480]

Millennial gardener you're the best online gardener!

[@Nature-Is-My-Home]

One of your best videos imo. Got 3 apple trees that I will prune tomorrow with confidence here in NC :)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! Be sure you *do not* cut off the fruit spurs on apple trees. They fruit off spurs that look like chicken feet toes. If you cut them off, you won't get any fruit. I recommend Google image searching "apple tree spur" so you know what they look like to preserve them.

[@Nature-Is-My-Home]

Thanks! Mine are not too large yet, but I certainly will check that out. Soon I will be getting a Meyer lemon tree and an avocado tree. Is the Lila the way to go here in NC? Any other good varieties you might recommend?

[@TheBackGardenYard]

I really like the way you explain the theory behind pruning. I also have a pruning video of pears and persimmons, and I just basically show the same kind of pruning, just not explaining it as technical as you. Also, I prefer loping shears over a pruning saw, so much easier and faster.. Here's a link to my video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZe4iqGDbp1keac

[@VanLe-ex8hr]

Fantastic lessons. I feel very confident in doing this for fruit trees that i treasure. No more feeling uncertain and nervous when pruning fruit trees. So precious lessons. Thanks thousands times . Thanks for sharing such valuable knowledge.

[@wandawilson6266]

Great video. Im in Ontario an i have an apple tree i planted years ago An have no idea i was to prune it till 2 years ago. The trunk is pretty think. But my sister an i cut it way back at the top . It was so think in the middle an so we thined it out cause was told it needed sun an air flow . Ive always get apple but are worms in them. So i never eat them . Only been one year i could an i think cause i use safe spray on it. But cant get it any more. Do you have any ideas what i can use?. An at the top where we cut off I have new growth growing straight up . Should i cut them off ?. I heard straight up ones are useless. An i realy dont want it to get any taller .

[@Frank-Reyess]

Hello Wanda, How are you doing?

[@pocahontaspirit5162]

EXCELLENT! Best pruning lesson I've ever heard. Definitely worth your time to watch.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@susanwasserman1477]

Thanks so much for this video! You made it so clear what you were doing and why. Also your shots of where you were cutting were excellent! I could see clearly what you were explaining. It reduced my anxiety about getting out there and trimming my new espalier fruit trees. Thank you, thank you! PS, I subscribe and have watched many of your videos and found them all very helpful and informative!

[@Frank-Reyess]

Hello Susan, How are you?

[@yinlin8330]

Thank you so much for this!!!! This was the exact thing I was looking for to learn what to prune. Everyone else just says categories of branches but don't actually explain how to identify the branches! I learned so much from your video!

[@OleensEmbroidery]

I hate that you are leaving for FL. You were my NC gardener go to.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I don’t have any plans on moving for 5-10 years, at least.

[@OleensEmbroidery]

@@TheMillennialGardener That is good to know. Because we live in the same grow zone and your backyard and neighborhood remind me of mine. I have really enjoyed your videos. I'm new to NC and actually new to serious gardening, but I love these NC big a** yards and want mine to look like yours!

[@noletr]

Thank you very much, first time someone gives clear explanations about pruning. Two years ago I bought a honey criso apple tree and because my back yard is small, I am trying to grow it espalier form. Hope is gone work. thanks again.

[@ArtByKarenEHaley]

I have an apple tree we sprouted from seed. its probably a crabapple, and thats fine because we want to buy a couple apple varieties and i know it'll help with pollenation. It flowered last year but made no fruit. The rain and hail smashed the blooms the same day they blossomed, which may be why it has no pollenation. This is its fifth year and I want to try pruning it this year.

[@tigert6969]

Hi ! Is October and I have 3 feet longan tree and it have leaves. Do I need to prune it to keep them small for it to grow abundant of fruits. Can you show how to prune small longan tree? TY

[@mariespencer8668]

All I watched made sense.. But I pruned for more than 10 years in a small commercial orchard. I cannot imagine doing it without a good pair of long handled loppers. Now that I am older and do not care to get on a ladder much, I can reach so much on my smaller fruit trees from the ground with loppers instead of hand pruners. Cut much bigger wood without a saw too.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

For backyard gardeners such as myself, these tools work well. If you're pruning hundreds of trees, especially mature trees, I'm sure you'll need other equipment. Lots of commercial growers use electric or gasoline powered long-handled mini-chainsaws and electric loppers. Those equipment pieces cost hundreds and sometimes over $1,000, so it's not really realistic for growers such as myself pruning a couple apple, persimmon and pear trees.

[@juliewhite6887]

Thanks for another informative and very useful video!

[@Frank-Reyess]

Hello Julie, how are you?

[@erohw]

Tbh “right after harvesting” isn’t as helpful as you might think…

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's all you can do. The best time to prune an evergreen fruit tree is the time that allows the tree to put on the most new growth and recover without removing fruits that aren't yet mature.

[@cookingwithSonia-2865]

I live close to you in coastal SC, and I’m a beginner gardener So glad I found your channel. It’s the best I’ve found so far! Please keep up the great vids!

[@ricardoaguiar2241]

Oh man, now you've made me a better gardener, thanks to you. Very easy to understand explanation, you won a 10 well deserved. Regards.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm really glad the video was helpful for you! Pruning fruit trees is so important.

[@Hugadognow]

I don't have fruit trees yet, but I will need this information. I have watched other channels that show smaller fruit trees, and I always wondered if they were just dwarf trees. I now think it was the pruning. This video was excellent, and I appreciate your style of explaining things well, and more importantly to me, actually doing the steps with explanation.

[@nancygould6789]

I have watched a lot of videos to prune my apple tree. This is by far the best.

[@Amy-of6wz]

Planning to plant four fruit trees this spring. I am preemptively trying to learn how to care for them. I am SO grateful I found this video…I am sure I will watch again before I ever start to prune but that was a wealth of knowledge in a short amount of time! Thank you!!!

[@scottrichter1858]

I've been trying to get a good understanding of how to prune for a long time. This by far has been the best video I've come across giving me confidence in figuring out how to work the trees I have. Thanks

[@alberthabib4220]

this has been a very instructive video. Mt father-in-law was a great gardener and I learnt my love nd interest in gardens through him. every square inch of his small garden was productive and a testament to his skill. while he never taught me to prune I watched him and mutilated my fruit trees which produced fruit year after year despite my ignorance. I learnt a lot by watching your video. Thanks,

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's what's great about trees. Even if you butcher them by mistake, they'll still grow back. Every year, you'll get a little better at pruning.

[@KB-uj8vk]

You are just the Best!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I appreciate it 😊

[@Griz91]

One thing to be careful with, is if you prune in early/ mid winter it stimulates trees to grow- when the false spring comes they will be more susceptible to budding out. Best to prune late winter.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It’s very late into the winter here. Any longer and there will be sap flow.

[@EducatedSkeptic]

@@TheMillennialGardener .... Ahhh, the difference between NC (where our daughter lives) and up here on the Canadian border, where we can have killing frosts through May! 😉

[@starkiller99]

Super helpful and timely! I buzzed down my fig tree before the big freeze (where I learned a lot despite the videos) and I'll have a lot more fruit tree varieties in spring to look after. Also found the citrus guide helpful as well since I'm hoping to have a citrus in the future. I noticed your Persimmon tree had some splotches on the bark. Is that some sort of lichen or mold that's grown on it? Is that fairly normal or a byproduct of your environment?

[@ashleys7631]

I started pruning everything last year after I gain some confidence now I’m looking into these crazy espalier shapes as my stratification diligence has paid off I’ve cracked the code from seed for apples, peaches, pears, spice bush, and most recently persimmons still on year 3 with paw paws and Chickasaw plums but I learned to warm stat first next time around. I’m planning on growing the trees small with hard pruning.

[@rabiafuwai6835]

This video is good, very good. I pruned my lemon try without knowledge. But I just discovered that I did the right thing. I'll just go ahead and prune my pomegranate plants.

[@rabiafuwai6835]

In Nigeria, we don't have winter. So discovered that the leafs on my grape plant do not fall. So I Dont know when to prune them. They are just a year old. Please I need your guide on this.

[@DelusionalMoron]

​@@rabiafuwai6835prune them after a harvest