How to Cut Back Muscadine Grapevines

Muscadines, sometimes called scuppernongs, are a variety of grape that is native to North America. Unlike introduced varieties of grape, muscadines have a high tolerance to disease and pests found in North America. Muscadines have a leathery skin and a sweet, seedy pulp. Although muscadines will grow wild, the vines will produce better grapes if you prune them at the end of each growing season. The process of pruning muscadines is similar to pruning other varieties of grapevine.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the shape of the muscadine grapevine. The vine should have a central trunk, a cordon vine on each side that extends 6 feet in either direction and drooping shoots. The shoots are where the grapes develop and where you will prune.
- 2
  Remove any vines or cordons that you will not need for growth next year. You will have to remove some clusters of vine spurs to prevent overcrowding.
- 3
  Cut each remaining shoot back to two to three buds by placing your shears at a point just beyond the third bud and slicing cleanly through the vine. These buds will produce next year's shoots.
- 4
  Remove

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