Pruning now buds are starting to burst

[nickdub]

Had a look over my fruit trees this afternoon, and could see buds are starting to burst. This is a good time to prune any dead wood out of apple or pear trees as it is obvious if there are any dead branches whose buds are not developing.

Obviously do not prune plums or cherries now, as the risk of infection is high.

[veggiechicken]

I've taken out the dead wood on the jostaberries and blackcurrants today and taken the dead tips off the raspberries. As you say, Nick, you can see what's alive or dead now.

[Eric44]

I've taken out the dead wood on the jostaberries and blackcurrants today and taken the dead tips off the raspberries. As you say, Nick, you can see what's alive or dead now.

I missed winter pruning my pear tree. Is it too late to do it now, or should I wait until next winter?

[nickdub]

No you'll be fine now. In fact better this time of year IMO.

Obviously usual things apply :- start with any dead or crossing branches, then have a good look from different angles and if in doubt, don't.

[Eric44]

Thanks Nick, if the rain holds off I'll do it tomorrow.

[nickdub]

You're very welcome - good luck and happy gardening. :-)

[nickdub]

Just a quick reminder that now is an OK time to prune apples and pears if you haven't already done it for this Winter - had a look at some of mine today and the buds are on the move.

I usually go round with my large loppers and pruning saw first, then bumble around again later with the secateurs and pruning knife.

(Obviously do not prune plums or cherries now, as the risk of infection is high.)

[veggiechicken]

Thanks for the reminder Nick
I've just been wandering around my fruit trees. The plum buds are opening, the pears have some lovely big bud clusters and the apples are just starting to produce leaf buds.
Looks like it may be a good year for pears as several young trees have their first ever buds.

(VC is feeling happy)

[nickdub]

sounds lovely - happy gardening :-)

[It never rains..it pours]

Planted this winter a jubile/st julien plum. Its appears a maiden but looks thick stem and been trimmed back at top so maybe maiden +. Its about 1.70m high. I want to keep it small 2.5m so maybe should have had smaller root stock but would rather be pruning st julien than trying to keep alive a weaker rootstock on wet winter clay albeit on a slight mound. Was thinking cut it back to promote lower branches now but disease risk is deterring me. Suppose I could put a cap or wound dressing on cut, or just learn to be patient ?

[nickdub]

Planted this winter a jubile/st julien plum. Its appears a maiden but looks thick stem and been trimmed back at top so maybe maiden +. Its about 1.70m high. I want to keep it small 2.5m so maybe should have had smaller root stock but would rather be pruning st julien than trying to keep alive a weaker rootstock on wet winter clay albeit on a slight mound. Was thinking cut it back to promote lower branches now but disease risk is deterring me. Suppose I could put a cap or wound dressing on cut, or just learn to be patient ?

whatever-else best to wait to prune it in any substantial way until it is growing strongly, say June at the earliest .

In terms of early fruiting etc you might want to have a look at festooning the branches.

PS I'm not up with current research, but as of the last I knew about it painting pruning wounds had proved to be of marginal or no value.

[It never rains..it pours]

Thank you Nickdub, I will learn to be patient till June
Tried festooning last year the Opal plum planted year before. The jury is out on early fruiting but does seem it encourages stronger upper but weaker lower branches on a young tree from my comparison (only two trees), which is fine for the Opals location but the opposite of what I would like in this particular loacation

[Urban]

Just a quick reminder that now is an OK time to prune apples and pears if you haven't already done it for this Winter - had a look at some of mine today and the buds are on the move.

I usually go round with my large loppers and pruning saw first, then bumble around again later with the secateurs and pruning knife.

(Obviously do not prune plums or cherries now, as the risk of infection is high.)

Thanks. Didn't think I could prune once buds where growing. Will get my apple done this weekend