How to Best Prune Fruit Trees in Time Zone 7

USDA hardiness zone 7 includes parts of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Although it is a bit cool for citrus trees, there are fruit trees that are hardy enough to grow in the zone. High-chill varieties of peaches, nectarines and apricots can thrive in these regions as long as they are planted in the full sun with annual liming. Although Asian persimmon is tropical, it can grow in lower zone 7 with winter protection. Prune fruit trees to correct their shape and improve their health and vigor.

Ladder
Pruning shears or saw

Instructions

- 1
  Cut off all diseased, damaged and dead branches at any time of year. They are taking nutrients from other parts of the tree and are too weak to handle a fruit load.
- 2
  Prune fruit trees that are sensitive to zone 7 frost in May. Cut off branches that are connected with narrow, V-shaped joints. Leave the stronger, U-shaped connections alone.
- 3
  Remove water sprouts from apple trees in July. Target all upright shoots and the suckers that grow from the base of the fruit trees. They grow vigorously and use the water and nutrients that the rest of the tree needs to grow strong.
- 4
  Head back branches that grow from the main trunk to the sides if they don't have branches growing off them. Prune a quarter of their length. This will encourage new branches to grow.
- 5
  Unclog the air flow within the canopy of the fruit tree. Eliminate branches that cross or rub against each other because it's difficult for air to circulate among the leaves and fruit.
- 6
  Avoid removing more than 30 percent of the fruit tree. Cutting off too much will cause poor fruit growth.

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