Some of the ideas expressed by Bill Rae, 28-Feb-2016. Compiled by Don Harwood.
Purpose
- Remove excess growth to allow light into the tree and onto fruiting buds
- Stimulate new growth. Heavy pruning stimulates lots of new growth but less fruit production.
- Shape the tree, pyramid or open vase shape typically. Vase has only one layer of branches extending from the stem.
- To limit tree height and width
- Remove diseased, dead and deformed wood
- If summer pruning is done for stone fruit, winter pruning is normally not required (unlike apples).