Summer Pruning Fruit Trees (Quick, Easy, Important)

[@erindewan6758]

I love how you don’t put out ton of videos, you just keep us up to date with necessary videos and let us watch the progress. Very classy! Great job. I planted trees around the same time. It’s great to watch you in action.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I definitely try to focus on quality over quantity. Sure, quantity helps grow a channel, but my priority is creating helpful, quality videos to help others grow a successful garden.

[@homeright]

Your videos are the best "how to" videos on KZbin for the backyard gardener. We love how organized, and detail oriented you are. We just "summer pruned" our young plum, pear and apple trees (zone 7 - North Carolina) and before trimming we had to rewatch this video several times to make sure we were doing it the right way. Thank you SO MUCH for the details in your videos. We feel like we did it right, THANK YOU!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you for sharing this feedback and your support! I’m glad you’re finding my videos helpful

[@LindsayHaven]

I've been hoping for an update on your urban garden. Thank you! I really appreciate it.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! Happy to share

[@drewspooner7135]

I have zero intention or ability to plant an orchard but I still follow the journey of these trees so closely

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you for coming along

[@alexiskokonuzz]

I’ve watched more videos about gardening that I dare to admit 😜 and I must say that yours are by far the best. Pruning is scary and thanks to you it isn’t so much anymore plus it makes perfect sense! I’ve been regularly checking your channel looking for new videos and it was a great surprise to see this one! Great job, hope you keep it up and looking forward to many more!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate this feedback and I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos

[@pakbowl420]

@@urbanfarmstead I have a question about my new apple tree. Is there a way to send you a message on social media. I might need to send a picture for better explaination. Thank you.

[@operationgoddess]

You are doing a great job. Your videos are, indeed, extremely helpful and educational, and they are very high quality. As a photographer, I find myself impressed with how nicely you choose your lighting and framing, and as a trained singer, I appreciate your sound quality and music selections. I love your backyard orchard and urban farming concept. It is turning out so well. I genuinely appreciate the information, guidance, and inspiration. Thank you, and wishing you all the best! 🌞

[@stevieeskay]

I live in Sydney, Australia and with a climate similar to yours I am extremely glad I found your channel. Very helpful and informative. Thanks mate!

[@urbanfarmstead]

That’s awesome! Thank you!

[@ebytwinbabel]

Thanks for the update! I appreciate the thoroughness of this series. It will be two years in Oct that we moved from River Park to College Glen. We've basically taken out all of the overgrown traditional landscape at our new home and put in gardens. All my trees are young. I have a potted fig and a loquat that was a volunteer on a friend's property, and in the ground I have an Australian finger lime, an air layered plum from a friend's tree, a Japanese persimmon and, my newest, a Thai lime that I picked up at Fair Oaks Nursery just two weeks ago. All very different trees! I just bought some limb spreaders to assist in shaping the loquat and plum. 😀

[@urbanfarmstead]

Nice! Sounds like you’re got a great little orchard going there!

[@Snommis1991]

You've inspired me to plant my own orchard this fall. I'm so excited! Thank you for your expertise.

[@urbanfarmstead]

That’s awesome! Thank you

[@21stCPH]

Thanks for this video; I will prune my trees this weekend!

[@urbanfarmstead]

You’re welcome. Great!

[@michellevenegas1522]

I think you must know how my brain works. I can’t remember everything I thought I learned from videos before. This recap is just what I needed.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Fortunately most of our brains work this way, I know mine does, so my goal in creating this channel in the first place was to create the videos that I wish others wouldn’t have already created.

[@ambersmith2375]

Hello Kyle! My husband (also a Kyle) and I lived in CA for the first 30+ years of our lives. Much of that in the Sacramento area. We are now in NC. We love your videos! I live in an HOA, but we have still been able to do quite a lot and your videos have encouraged us that we can do even more. I am in a local farming group and I turned them onto your videos. Even those who have had their homesteads for well over a decade have learned from your videos. Thank you so much!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi! Thank you so much for your support! I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos

[@breadzo]

I live in New England so I won't be able to grow as much variety as you have, but my dream for a while has been to have a fruit tree orchard! Your videos help keep that dream going while I wait until I can buy some property. They're super informative and fun to watch!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi! Yeah, definitely different climates, but of course there are plenty that will thrive there. Happy gardening!

[@afrocraft1]

I'm embarrassed to admit how excited I am that you're baaaaack!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Haha, thanks! I’ve been busy with a few big projects that I’m working on videos for.

[@afrocraft1]

@@urbanfarmstead Good deal. Love the new hair too. Looking dangerous!

[@urbanfarmstead]

@@afrocraft1 thanks 😁✌🏼

[@Slavetilidie]

Fantastic! I also live in Sacramento. It's so great to have someone like you helping a novice like me better understand how to create and nurture a thriving garden space in this hot climate. Appreciate what you're doing. Subscribed!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Awesome, thanks! Yes, the heat can be challenging, but once you learn how to work with it you’ll be able to grow almost anything here.

[@elizabethmatheson-sugarloaf]

After reading Ann Ralph's, "Grow a Little Fruit Tree" and watching your pruning demonstrations, I'm gearing up to add more fruit trees to my backyard garden. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. They are so helpful.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! That’s awesome! I haven’t read that book, but I’m sure it’s great

[@kierstin1989]

How did you know I was about to go look for your older video about pruning fruit trees? My nectarine is OUT OF CONTROL, and I'm planning on pruning it this weekend!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Im happy to be able to share the full process of pruning and establishing my orchard.

[@jackieperkins8514]

Hi fireman Kyle. It's good to see a new video from you. I like seeing the progress of your trees, as well as, learning how to prune fruit trees. 😀

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi! Thank you

[@monicam9025]

Great reminder for my young nectarine and peach trees! Will do tomorrow! Thanks for posting this--short and sweet and informative!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great, thanks! Happy to share

[@terridensmore]

Im in Sacramento too and I have 20 fruit trees in my backyard and boy do your videos help! Thank you!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Awesome! Thank you

[@lousmaldino5942]

I needed this sooner our Peach tree had so much fruit on it, one of the main branches cracked, it didn’t break all the way, so we are having to Prop it up. Located in Vacaville!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hope your tree recovers well. I did share a summer pruning video last summer as well, but the trees were still quite young.

[@natashavandenakker1506]

Thank you so much for your information. You are so good at explaining, it's just amazing. I've learned so much from you. You are an amazing guy with more amazing energy. I wish you all the luck and love in the world.

[@urbanfarmstead]

I'm so glad!

[@lesboucher542]

Thank you for the video. It was very informative and easy to follow.... Just as an offshoot, while you were pruning the tree I couldn't help thinking Ooooo look at all that beautiful mulch.. LOL

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! Yes, the mulch is a key component of my orchard

[@justaperson1812]

very interesting as always

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad you think so!

[@LuckyFigFarm]

Good to see a new video, thanks! Weather looks great.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you

[@Bolletjehopla47]

Very good videos about pruning young fruit trees. In about a month or so I will plant an apple and a pear tree in my front yard garden. As an absolute beginner I am really happy with your videos. The only thing I am always missing in pruning videos is; where is the fruit going to be if you cut off all those branches? I know, probably the stupiest question ever, but as I said, an absolute beginner here.

[@VagabondAnne]

Thank you, perfect timing. I am in San Rafael and planted 3 small trees last fall. The apricot tree was easy to do, but I hesitated at my very bushy peach tree. I am feeling more confident now!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great! Go get your pruning done

[@Nikki-st8qz]

Looking forward to the next tree you prune

[@urbanfarmstead]

Your wait is over! posted today.

[@kele1264]

Thank you!

[@urbanfarmstead]

You’re welcome

[@PatientFarmer]

Oooh! I think I know what I need to do to my peach tree now! Totally subscribing now! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great! Glad you found this video

[@PatientFarmer]

@@urbanfarmstead so am I! I really wish I had found you 1st but you hadn't posted it yet! 😅

[@flickofthewrist6279]

Most informative videos I've seen! Thank you!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much!

[@PAS7gardens]

Thank you! This is so helpful.

[@chrisweiss7131]

Glad to see you back! Excited for the future videos!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I’ve been busy with some larger projects that I’m create videos for.

[@chrisweiss7131]

@@urbanfarmstead very stoked to see them.

[@olivergarcia2459]

Great video

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you!

[@pamelas9]

I appreciate your videos so much, we actually planted at the same time. I did a huge pruning on my apples in spring and my husband thought they wouldn't come back, but they are ready for summer pruning right on schedule. I think it supposed to be dry next week. We don't have the same vigor here in Wisconsin, but the principles still hold.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great! Good point about waiting for the dry weather - that’s something I should remember to mention, but seldom think about rain in summer living here in CA

[@laurafrey5244]

Missed you! Glad to see you and your update! PS - Still awaiting your garlic growing follow up! 😉

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! Unfortunately I ended up just doing the garlic update on Instagram because it’s growing at a rental property and I had some challenges getting there to record the follow up video

[@pamelafailen189]

Thank you very much for explaining everything the way you do. Answers many question, where as other pruning videos leave me confused.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Glad to help

[@amandanelson9697]

I do so appreciate your videos since moving to this 9B zone (not too far from you actually). I was sitting here eating a peach (one of 4) from the tree I planted about 1.5 years ago and thought, "I need to watch Mr. Urban Farmstead's summer pruning video". I'm relieved that it isn't quite as complicated as apricot tree pruning-Perhaps I'll up my girl's output next year! 🍑 Thanks again and stay safe- hopefully fire season will be less dramatic this year.

[@iammienusa-ca7856]

Hi, I am a beginner gardener and I just started my KZbin channel. I just subscribed to your channel because I am learning how to grow and prune fruit trees. I am planning to incorporate fruit trees in my yard and learning ahead of time would help me when I start adding fruit trees in my yard. I am from California in the Central Area. I hope we can be KZbin friends.

[@urbanfarmstead]

That’s awesome! Happy gardening

[@jacobobrien4846]

Yus!!! been waiting for this one for months :) love it thankyou!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great! Thank you

[@deechudy8144]

Love this video!! Thanks for your follow up!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! Happy to share

[@MobileGames-Shorts]

Glad to see those trees! Thanks for the video!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to share!

[@aa69687]

Thank you , mi amigo

[@marcotorres6222]

Thank you!!!!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

You’re very welcome

[@AmzBackyardOrchardandVineyard]

Greetings from Arizona growing zone 9b Just watched your video, thank you for the tips and tricks. We use them in our front and backyards with great success. we love being a subscriber. you have a lot of great videos, and we look forward to seeing your new content come out! Cheers.

[@shayladastrup1058]

I’m patiently waiting for you to come back this year! Question about this though…Do you prune before or after you harvest the fruit? It doesn’t seem like you’re taking any consideration to fruit you might be cutting off?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes and yes. Sometimes before harvest, sometimes after, often before and after. With summer pruning we are removing this years growth. With most of these trees the fruit only grows on last years growth. So it’s not removing any fruit

[@winrockywin331]

Love your videos!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Tony!

[@ilg212]

Thank you for the detailed video. I am just starting my mini orchard this year with peaches, apples, apricot, figs, and persimmon. Could you do a video on fruit thining?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Great! Yes, I will be creating a fruit thinning video this spring

[@ilg212]

@@urbanfarmstead thank you so much! I truly appreciate the info and content!

[@MyTinyFoodForest]

I’m from Australia in the sub tropics and I’m addicted to fruit tree videos, my family and friends think I’m crazy but I just love fruit trees and being self sufficient - your videos are just outstanding. I’m so excited to watch all your videos! Do you have a group we can join to chat with you further about fruit trees? Thank you so much!

[@urbanfarmstead]

That is awesome! Thank you so much! I don't have a group yet.

[@ganza.tv001]

Hi nice video this is From 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@misoldado]

Thank you!!! Been waiting for this update 🤗

[@urbanfarmstead]

Happy to share!

[@iconicplay2237]

Can we get another summer garden tour video. Would be great to see what you are growing this year

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yep, but I’m currently deployed on a CA wildfire.

[@iconicplay2237]

@@urbanfarmstead understandable

[@musikmanok]

Love the videos about your backyard garden/orchard. What type of fertilizer are you using and what schedule do you keep? Thanks and keep the vids coming!!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! I’ll be using EB stone Organics fruit tree fertilizer starting next spring and will use it about every 6-8 weeks during the growing season

[@ratuv_YT]

Love your videos.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Ratu

[@user-pm4ef8yu7w]

U make it seem so easy. 😳

[@urbanfarmstead]

It is!

[@bowmanemily]

I am so glad I found your videos. They are very helpful. I’m in Sacramento also and I am looking for info on pruning citrus. Do you have any videos coming soon on citrus?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi! Thank you. I do have citrus that I will be creating pruning videos for, maybe next spring

[@kimcritchfield5796]

Great idea!! I have citrus I’d like to do better on.

[@urbanfarmstead]

@@kimcritchfield5796 great!

[@user-ni4zu5jh6i]

Question for you - could you share more details (either here or possibly a future vid) on your irrigation setup for fruit trees? I watched a previous vid where you showed the laying of soaker hose but didn't provide details on the length of time for watering young and/or mature trees as well as what size and flow the hoses provide and the spacing. Great work as always and thanks for sharing!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi, I do have a full irrigation video on my channel that explains a bit more about my irrigation system - it’s focused on vegetable gardens, but the size/spacing/flow/layout are all the same. As far as irrigation schedules go, there are a lot of factors, so every orchard has different needs. Year one I watered once a week, year two every other week, and established trees often only require once a month, but as I said- there are many variables.

[@user-pm4ef8yu7w]

So once a month, for established trees but for how long. 15 minutes or more ?

[@urbanfarmstead]

@@user-pm4ef8yu7w the timeframe has a lot of factors such as flow rate, soil composition etc, but definitely much longer than 15 minutes in any scenario.

[@dkburruss]

So excited to find your channel. I’m binge watching all the pruning ones! I’m about an hour south in San Joaquin county 👍🏻. We too have started a small orchard but didn’t know about these techniques and are on yr 3. I noticed you don’t have cherry trees. We have two, are the techniques the same? They are Lapin and Rainier if that matters. Got a few cherries for the first time this year!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Awesome, thanks! I’m so glad you’re finding my videos helpful. I do have a cherry tree at my other property, and the pruning techniques are basically the same , but it’s recommended to not prune them in winter because they are very susceptible to diseases that spread in wet periods

[@dkburruss]

@@urbanfarmstead thank you so much for your reply!! I will proceed with summer pruning!!😊

[@SumaMudan]

I just discovered your videos and they are helpful. I have a question - since I didn’t follow your techniques when i planted the trees and now they are huge. I am scared to prune thinking that I may lose buds and will mot have fruits next season - can you address this please? Thanks

[@NadiiaTsaryk]

very informative as always

[@alysiagould4896]

Hi! Appreciate these videos so much. Have I missed the window for summer pruning? It's September and I am near you in Folsom :)

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi! Thank you. Sort of late now, but you could.

[@joyfulparadise]

Kyle can you clarify when exactly you performed this summer pruning? Was it before or after harvest? Thanks for all your instructional videos.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Any time in summer

[@saminairfan45]

Great video😍

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you Samina!

[@DanielTorres-zz6fs]

This video along with the other summer pruning video you have are one of the most comprehensive explanations for basic pruning techniques I have seen around. Congrats!! I also live in Sacramento, and have a similar orchard myself. I was wondering what do you with the fig cuttings you propagate? Do you sell them? I’ve been looking around for healthy black missions to espalier them, any suggestions?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much! Yes I sell them locally. I advise the once a year sale on Instagram and will probably sell about 30 panache fig trees soon. Our local nurseries gave mission in winter

[@peacefulsound4366]

Love youuuu big fannnnn❤️❤️❤️

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you so much!

[@usnavyseal77]

How do I prune back an apricot tree that is taller than my house. We just moved in. I need it to be smaller but I'm okay with it being quite large. Should I wait till winter? Thank you

[@urbanfarmstead]

It’s much more difficult to make a large tree small than to keep a small tree small, so sometimes it’s best to start fresh. If you just want to take it down a little bit I would probably trim back 1/3 or so now, then again in winter

[@xiyunyang1601]

Great video! I have a three year old fig tree that I planted and have been pruning. There are fig fruit all over the tree… I don’t have the heart to prune the fruit off right now, I LOVE figs but should I prune it?

[@urbanfarmstead]

In most cases you only need to prune fig trees in winter

[@williebones53]

I just now came across her channel and I’m very impressed with the way you do things. My question is are you on well water or city water and if you’re on city water do you use any filters?

[@urbanfarmstead]

I’m in the city of Sacramento. I only filter the water for seedlings, but I do test the tap water.

[@silvinawright9789]

I grew up in Argentina and we would plant fruit trees in the fall and then prune winter and summer. I live in Utah now and I wonder what you think about fall tree planting? Do you think it will work?

[@antoniorsoftware]

What do you do with all the cuttings ? Do you use a garden shredder and make compost ?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Compost

[@donnamullins2089]

Hello Kyle so good to see you. Zone 8b North Texas. Purchased 6 fruit trees in spring (still in pots) we have been in a horrible drought with extremely high temps and constant even hotter SW winds. In addition we are on water restrictions. Today we had a low/high of 104. It is brutal. Trees are on a garden cart I move into sunlight from 6am to 11am then back into dapple shade and shelter from the afternoon winds. Everything looks good. The Texas Everbearing Fig set a ton of fruit which I removed all but one fig (I had to taste one. Delicious) All trees have grown and I will prune this week. Question: Is this enough sunlight? Thank you for the video.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Sounds like a fun planting coming up! That’s enough sunlight for now. I have a bunch of patted trees that get about the same right now.

[@donnamullins2089]

@@urbanfarmstead thanks

[@mozee01]

another great video bro. So that was a very large fruit tree and u pruned that in July. Where are the fruits? It looks like a very large non fruit bearing tree. Is that tree gonna do the same next year?

[@lifeaccordingtobri]

Great videos! So if I just planted peach trees in late August. Should I wait to prune till winter so they get settled? Don't want to kill them before they get their roots going. Thanks

[@sonyasibongga4487]

New subscriber here, can’t wait for your peaches 🍑 to have fruits…how long does it take for them to fruit? Just wondering…Thank you for sharing!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thanks! I actually harvested a couple from both of my peach trees this year, but next year I’m planning a larger crop

[@milagrosripski7679]

Two questions please. 1- Can I prune in Sept? Planted last year in Nov. but just now learning about pruning. 2- Can the cuttings be used to propagate new trees?

[@shall9858]

planted a peach tree last year (it grew from a composted pit). It is only about 5 ft at this point, should I bother with summer pruning this year or wait for winter. Zone 5

[@urbanfarmstead]

That just depends on how large you want the tree to be

[@richfrill]

😮 I miss you handsome.boy

[@richfrill]

Thank you for the ❤️ send me a trees

[@Nikki-st8qz]

Thank you Jesus an update!!! I planted two whip apple trees and a cherry tree that came branched out nicely. I notched the whips so the branches would grow where I wanted and that worked well but my cherry tree needs pruning. If I cut where a bud is but did not have any growth there will it form a branch eventually?

[@urbanfarmstead]

It should in most cases. Seldom will you get a dud bud.

[@Nikki-st8qz]

@@urbanfarmstead Thanks so much for your time!

[@afrocraft1]

Just wondering about the long term, say 7-10 years. Can you keep pruning down to 8 feet for a tree that naturally wants to grow much bigger? At some point, as the stem and main branches grow much thicker, don't you risk harming the tree?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yep, you can keep pruning them to whatever size you like for their entire lifespan. Think about banzai trees, completely different processes, but relatable in this context

[@Evangelon]

Can I plant Sunshine Delight blueberries within 2 feet of either side of a ultra dwarf Apple tree?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Probably

[@JingaBBB]

I really do have a ton of questions, I feel like I’m extremely knowledgeable/experienced with all gardening practices, and then with this; I even understand the process but I TRULY CANNOT do this. Like I’m unsure first what the goal is, so make main scaffolds to then re-scaffold, and then let the inner tiny buds fruit further down the line, but keep all other “branches” off of the scaffold branches, besides the new scaffolds? So in essence we are removing almost everything besides continously knuckled/scaffolded outer branches in our desired format, and letting it fruit in the future off the buds that form along these scaffolds? Should I continously be removing small 6-12” non scaffold branches and only leave budsites along the scaffolds? Meaning tree, scaffold, new scaffold, nothing else but buds along those? And then second question is it 100% open Center only or what is the issue with 4 lower scaffolds at say 3 foot high, and 3 foot more of leader, then 4 more scaffolds from there, making 2 levels but scaffolding off of each? Thank u a ton if you can understand/answer this in any way, (anybody at all) Thanks

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you for taking the time to ask these thorough questions. Clearly you can appreciate that specific pruning advice is not easily translated into words, but it seems you might be over-thinking this summer pruning a bit. We’re really just focused on size control and checking the vigor this time of year, and all of those specific details cuts are made when the tree is dormant. I definitely encourage branching on the scaffolds and just maintaining good spacing and angles with them. As the single scaffold open center- this is known to be the best shape for fruit production and quality for peaches and other stone fruits. The double scaffold you describe would be a modified central leader and it’s a great option for some trees like persimmon, pears and apples, in fact that’s how I’m pruning my apple tree as seen in my other two orchard pruning videos. Hope that answers your questions ✌🏼

[@JingaBBB]

@@urbanfarmstead yes that answers it fully thank you I appreciate it! I’m just more so along the line of ok so summer we make cuts for the scaffolding direction, and winter thin all the stuff you don’t want/take more mass out type of thing (probably thinner branches but more of them) whereas in summer it’s likely just a few cuts and more prolific, for example the tops of branches to force branching for scaffolds in desired location. That’s just where I get confused tho, if we are making such aggressive cuts in the summer; and the plant is focusing on moving energy to that area, why would I not limit energy to other areas by also cutting inwards facing and so on branches, that are likely pencil thickness and wouldn’t likely shock the tree anymore than the main “desired” cuts for branching would have, yknow what I mean? I understand spacing the pruning out but I’m also unsure if there’s a reason for it? I have 4 plums going 2 pruned 2 I was going to get to after I heard back from you, so I think I’m going to do a side by side test on them, one just desirable cuts for direction intended with new scaffolds, and the other tree the same, however also thinning. Will let you know if I notice any differences in the two by this time next summer, will note all essentials such as vigor between now-fall-winter-spring-summer, and any pest/disease issues, I will do pics also just incase there’s something noteable as I feel this pruning thing may be misunderstood by everybody in general, I don’t think there’s any reason to not make minimal cuts following massive ones, I will test and let you know! But thank you for clarifying what the “proper practice” is. To me it’s such a confusing concept, but more so because I don’t believe there’s proper logic behind it. I do appreciate you bringing the info necessary though as I could be wrong and perhaps the plant goes into complete shock and has no ability to grow on further, will see what happens! thanks again

[@chrisj18201]

Can you root any of this cuttings to become a new tree?

[@urbanfarmstead]

The figs you can, and I do

[@kimcritchfield5796]

Love your videos. I’m curious how you fertilize your stone fruits? Specifically, last year I mulched with grass clippings on my apricot, that tree got zero flowers, and therefore no fruit. All my other stone fruit went nuts this year. Do you think it’s because too much nitrogen? Should I focus on Phosphorus and Potassium this year? When? Glad to see you aren’t at a fire. Praying for more rain.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! I haven’t fertilized these much yet, but I’ll start next spring with EB stone organics fruit tree fertilizer

[@smshh33]

What if there are developing fruits on the branches?

[@noelledavis6303]

Just found your channel and I've found it to be very helpful! I just bought a house in Chico with 6 fruit trees ranging in age from 3 - 5 yrs old. One of the older trees is a free stone peach trees. i just harvested the last of the peaches - so juicy and tasty! The problem is the previous owners let the tree grow taller than I'd like. Plus, they didn't trim it for that 'goblet' shape. Any suggestions as to how to remedy this? Can I just go in aggressively and trim of any branches to the length I want? I certainly don't want to harm the tree. Thanks!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hi, thanks! unfortunately it’s almost impossible to give specific pruning advice without seeing a tree in person, but in general - yes you can aggressively prune it as long as you know where and how to make those cuts.

[@tpmemnoch3922]

Can the backyard orchard culture be applied to nut-bearing trees - almond, etc..?

[@urbanfarmstead]

For the most part, yes.

[@duanehundley]

Do I prune before the flowers/fruit come or just prune not caring about that? Do fruit trees only flower once a year?

[@urbanfarmstead]

The fruit on most fruit trees will grow on last year’s growth and in summer we prune back this years growth, so it’s fine to prune with fruit or flowers on the tree

[@milkweed7678]

Great pruning video. Are most of your trees semi dwarf that you are keeping under control at the 8-10 foot height range? It all looks really good around your property. Thanks!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Thank you! No, I don’t select root stock for size control, I select for other traits and control size by pruning

[@milkweed7678]

@@urbanfarmstead So basically we can select dwarf, semi, or full size and just keep them pruned to size you want. Sounds good!

[@esseelle384]

Hi Kyle, have you gotten any Jujube fruit yet? How will you use it? I’ve bought it in California in the past. It seems a lot like the Mayhaw, which we only use for jelly. Thanks for the amazing pruning lessons!

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes, they are delicious fresh from the tree

[@winsomeam4168]

Hi, thanks for your timely post. I followed your advice on how to prune young fruit trees and they have been doing well, is it okay to do the summer pruning now during the heat wave or should I wait till it cools down a bit? I live a little bit south of Santa Barbara. P. S. Do you have a post on fertilizing? Thank you again

[@urbanfarmstead]

best not to do during a heatwave. I have a veg garden fertilizing video that will help, but will have an orchard one soon

[@cliveburgess4128]

I see you got my comment from yesterday, any idea about the problem I described? thanks.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hey Clive, sorry, I’m working at the firehouse today and we got a call as I was typing my reply, but it’s sent now

[@DUrena-ni3ei]

Hello I am a big fan of your videos. I am about to plant some fruit trees into my yard and I have a couple of questions. What is your take on multiple grafted apples to a single rootstock? I am having a hard time to find any good place to get the trees from, any recommendations? I am across the country (Maryland), so I’ll understand if don’t know much about it.

[@urbanfarmstead]

I think multi grafts are great! i don't know the nurseries in your area

[@DUrena-ni3ei]

@@urbanfarmstead Thanks for replying. I ended up ordering one from an online distributor. Is planted and waiting to wake up. Happy season :) !

[@holywraith504]

I got LOTS of questions as I have been inherited a wide variety of mature fruit trees that I know for certain had not had one bit of pruning done to them. So my biggest question is with the larger fruit trees i have on my property. i have a pear that is well over 20 foot tall and apple trees that are ~13-15 foot as well. I wanted to get them in order, but also didn't want to kill the tree bringing them down to size. Which brings me to my question, can I top the trees too aggressively? if so, can I get some tips on making sure I don't do too much damage (if that is possible). If I can't be too aggressive, what tips can you guide me through to bring them to a decent size. even if its going to be a multi year endeavor. Thanks for all of your insight! and looking forward to more videos as you have a lifetime subscriber here. :D

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hey Jeremy, I get a lot of questions about making large trees small which is certainly more complicated than keeping a tree small through proper pruning. Unfortunately it’s not possible to give specific pruning advice in a comments section, but I. General you should be fine removing as much at 1/3 of the total growth if done correctly. Just be sure you’re cutting to lower branches and buds, not just randomly topping mid branch etc. hope that helps

[@Matt34677]

I'm really enjoying your videos! I live in central Arkansas and it's a very hot summer. I have two apple trees and two tart cherry trees about 2 years old. Would it be okay now to prune or should I wait until the winter?

[@urbanfarmstead]

It was 100f the day I pruned these, now should be fine

[@championhomestead6273]

I have always been told to not take more than 1/3 of the tree at any pruning. Do you find that holds true? I am in Phoenix and was going to wait until September to summer prune due to the heat and sun. In your opinion is that necessary? I was concerned about opening my top center on the trees and burning the tree. Though burning leaves in summer is pretty standard around here. Thanks

[@urbanfarmstead]

It’s a good general rule, but sometimes you have to take more and I’ve taken up to half with no issues. September might be a bit late, but I would consult a local expert. Trim the top without opening the center and white wash as needed

[@doreentucker8815]

Did you get any nectarines off this tree this year?

[@urbanfarmstead]

Yes, a few

[@JuggernautB911]

Hello.... i have a great question before I prune my trees. Most of mine are on semi dwaft root stock. The growth that yours gets, I need to ask, are your nectaplum, peaches and pear on semi dwarf root stock or standard root stock? Please let me know?

[@urbanfarmstead]

standard

[@JuggernautB911]

@@urbanfarmstead thank you. So i may not get as vigorous growth from a hard pruning

[@sharetripllc]

I notice in my peach tree one peach has like a transparent jelly I am not sure what to do

[@urbanfarmstead]

Sounds like Oriental Fruit Moth.

[@daiquiri_dan]

I live in tropical Bali. We don't have summer/winter. How do I apply this knowledge. When should I prune?

[@elizabethmatheson-sugarloaf]

I don't know anything about Bali, but hopefully this explanation of what fruit trees are doing in our seasons might help you decide when to prune. Best Wishes. "Summer" pruning would be just after branches have been actively growing; the tree has flowered and put on fruit. "Winter" pruning would be after your tree is finished fruiting, you have harvested, and it's growth has stopped for a time or gone dormant.

[@urbanfarmstead]

As Elizabeth mentioned below, you could do your dormant style pruning when the tree is less actually growing. Also I imagine you probably have more tropical varieties there and they can be pruned differently than deciduous fruit trees

[@cliveburgess4128]

Your garden is looking great as always, I haven't seen it in a long time, back when I learned about Carmen peppers from you, mine aren't as big as yours were, but they do ok in fl. and taste great, anyway, question for you, I bought a peach tree back in the spring and recently the leaves are turning orange and it looks pretty sad, I believe it is a variety developed by USF for fl. I dug it up the other day to check the root ball, seems ok, I've had some bone dry before, would not absorb moisture, any thoughts? are you still fighting forest fires? Thanks, Clive.

[@urbanfarmstead]

Hey Clive, unfortunately there are a lot of things that can turn a peach trees leaves orange or yellow, so I couldn’t be sure what’s causing it in your case. Your best bet would be to research the condition on the UCIPM or UC Davis website. Or print a bagged cutting to your local nursery.

[@cliveburgess4128]

@@urbanfarmstead thank you for your reply