Pruning trees and shrubs in autumn is one of the main methods of horticulture and agronomy for the care, regulation of growth and the preservation of health and quality fruiting among representatives of the flora. This procedure is equally necessary for both young trees and middle-aged and fruiting plants. Old trees with fading growth also cannot do without pruning. We once again remind you that all tree care procedures must be performed correctly, according to a certain scheme. A person who does not have the proper amount of knowledge about this is very likely to prune the garden incorrectly. In this regard, the tree can be damaged and destroyed irretrievably.

When to cut?

Many experienced gardeners often ask the question: "Pruning trees in autumn or spring is more appropriate?" The answer is very simple - depending on the purpose for which you want to perform this procedure. After all, every season has its own characteristics. And it is very important to adhere to some rules, given this aspect. You can read about pruning plants in the spring in this section of our website (link). And now we will tell you about the timing of pruning trees in the fall and how to carry it out.

Pruning trees in the fall in the garden most often has a sanitary aspect. This is also done in order to prepare the plants for winter. It is very important to remove diseased, barren and dried branches from the tree at this time of the year. Since harmful insects can settle in them for the winter, which can harm the tree and even destroy it. They are also often the causative agents of various diseases. Tree pruning time in autumn is usually relevant before the first frost. At the beginning of the month of November, it is better to leave the trees alone and not touch them at all. It is better to remove each diseased branch that is affected by a fungus, lichen or some other disease. You should also rid the tree of small branches that are intertwined, as well as those that have excessive growth. Dried tops of trees and some branches must be cut off at the very base, capturing part of the living tissue. Affected branches are cut down completely or only certain parts.

Tree pruning in autumn - Ukraine

In our country, the climate is quite temperate. Therefore, pruning can be done until the last month of this season, inclusive. But it’s still not worth delaying, because the cold can come unexpectedly. You won’t have time to look back, as at night the temperature outside the window will already be below zero, and the trees will “hibernate”. Then it will be too late to carry out any operations.

Proper pruning of trees in the fall is very important. After all, it often happens that some novice gardeners are trying very hard to rid the plant of unnecessary branches as soon as possible and most often overdo it. This leads to the fact that the tree, so to speak, freezes in one pore and in the future every year the level of its fruiting becomes lower and lower. Therefore, pruning should be careful and gentle to the maximum.

In order to figure out exactly how trees are pruned in the fall, the scheme can be of great help:

pruning fruit trees autumn

Fruit trees also have their own characteristics in pruning. Many claim that this procedure increases their productivity. We think this is a moot point. After all, everything is known in comparison and it does not always work out the way we would like. But the fact that the quality of the crop will increase to a greater extent is a fact. Perhaps there will not be too many fruits on the branches, but they will be evenly distributed throughout the tree, they will be large, bulky and juicy.

When trees are pruned in autumn, apple trees occupy one of the first places. They are very convenient to cut at this time of the year. Preferably after harvest. But again, this must be done very carefully so as not to remove the fruit-bearing "necessary" branches. Although, to be honest, in fact, "extra" branches do not grow on a tree. To think logically, if it lacked nutrients, it would not be able to grow them. The point here is a little different. New branches often find themselves in worse conditions and begin to compete with each other for moisture, nutrition and light. And all this in the future affects the fruits. Here each branch will get a little bit and there will be a lot of fruits, but, we note, small and not so tasty. That is why it is necessary to create favorable conditions for the formation of fruits.
In pruning trees in autumn, plum quite popular as well. Often at this time of the year, her branches are shortened, thus creating Better conditions for her fruit next year. Unfortunately, we cannot accurately describe to you which branch of this tree should be left, and which one must be deleted. The tree must first be seen before any predictions can be made. After all, each plant has an individual shape of the structure, there are no two identical. And we cannot predict how it will develop further. For example, if you remove a branch above a bud that is growing down, then most likely the young branch, the new one, will sprout at an angle towards the bottom. But there is also a possibility that another kidney will wake up and begin to grow completely in opposite direction. We can only speculate.
When pruning is done in autumn, pear one of the first is also often subjected to this procedure. And we once again affirm, using the example of this tree, that before pruning any plant, at least practice and skill are needed. You must read many books and articles on this topic, see how it is done in practice, know exactly how to make cuts and be able to hold a saw or pruner in your hands, finally. In addition, this business is very creative, so it is best if it is done by a professional who is well acquainted with all aspects.

To understand exactly how tree pruning is done in the fall, the photos are provided below:

Pruning trees in autumn in Crimea

On the Crimean peninsula, pruning also has its own characteristics. But the differences with other areas are not at all in technology, but in the timing. The climate there is warmer than in most of Ukraine. In this regard, you can not rush with pruning in the autumn. A strong sub-zero temperature occurs only in overly harsh winters. And it comes, mostly gradually. Therefore, do not be afraid to be late with pruning.

Trimming Order

We suggest you summarize the procedure for pruning trees at this time of the year:

First, remove the largest withered branches and those that have been broken.
The weakest branch of those that grow close to each other or rub against each other is also removed.
Those that grow at an acute angle or upwards are cut off.
Branches growing inside the crown must also be removed.
All wounds formed after the procedure must be treated with oil paint or garden pitch.
Removed diseased and dry branches are removed away from the site and burned along with pests that have already settled inside them.

The pruning of trees in autumn is also clearly presented for you in pictures:

We hope that the information we provide will be useful to you. You will learn a lot from it and you will be able to put it into practice. After all experienced gardener must know all the features in matters of tree care. But if you do not know how to properly tidy up your garden, pruning trees in the fall is a very difficult issue for you, you can always contact us. We are happy to help you with any gardening questions.

Trimming trees in autumn video

With the approach of late autumn, from about the end of October, the dormant period begins at the tree. The movement of juice slows down, leaves fall. Pruning is recommended before the air temperature drops below minus 5°C. It is necessary to take into account the fact that in the absence of juice, wounds on a tree heal much worse, and until spring it may not fully depart from the procedure.

Experts advise starting pruning with the onset of the spring period, when the snow has already melted, sap flow has begun, and the buds have not yet swollen. The most successful period is March - April. At this time trees are pruned and berry bushes who have reached the age of 5 years. In May, pear and apple trees are pruned. In June, young shoots are thinned out.

It is necessary to adhere to the same pruning dates annually, taking into account seasonal features, such as rainfall, gusts of wind, and the first frosts.

How to prune trees in autumn (video)

The choice of tool for crown formation

plays an important role in the success of the procedure right choice tools. They should be sharply sharpened and easy to work with, which ensures the least damage to the tree.
The required set of tools are:

Special garden shears - secateurs. It should be light in weight, with comfortable handles. Working qualities depend on the material of the blade. The most popular pruners with blades made of hardened or high carbon steel. They are able to last several years without additional sharpening. There are also stainless steel secateurs with different coatings. The material of the handle should not rub hands. The presence of a ratchet mechanism allows you to make a cut on a thick branch at a time.
Garden hacksaw. It will be required for sawing off the trunk and thick branches. It differs from the construction one by the presence of gaps between the teeth. At the end of the blade is a tooth - limiter. You should choose a hacksaw with the optimal blade size and inclined teeth about 5 mm high. The handle should be rubberized so that the tool does not slip in your hand.
Air secateurs. There are several varieties of this tool. It can have long handles or one telescopic rod. It is used when thinning the crown in hard-to-reach places, at height. When choosing an air pruner, you need to pay attention to the maximum length of the handle.

Other tools may be required depending on the type of trees. For pruning old trees with thick branches, it is better to use a gasoline saw. Live branches are pruned using a bow saw. To eliminate the nervousness of the cut and other small work, garden knives come in handy.

Basic requirements for all tools:

safety and ease of use;
the maximum possible sharpness of the blades and a narrowed shape at the ends;
strength and lightness of materials.

Pruning scheme for fruit trees in autumn

The scheme for pruning fruit trees in the fall is aimed at preparing them for the cold winter period. Large amounts of snow can accumulate on long branches in winter, which leads to damage. When thinning and shortening the branches, the vitality of the tree increases.. If pruned correctly, in the warm season it will be ready to bear fruit in full force.

Autumn pruning schemes include thinning and shortening of branches.. For young seedlings, thinning is done in the crown area. New shoots are removed annually, until the tree acquires a lush crown, which contributes to moisture and air saturation. For older trees, this method is used less frequently, after a year or two. Also remove diseased branches, especially those sensitive to frost.

The main purpose of shortening is to eliminate the interweaving of branches and ensure their correct location. Pruning is carried out to the kidney, giving growth to the shoot in the right direction.

When circumcising in the autumn, it is necessary to take into account climatic features. Usually, in the northern regions, fruit trees are not pruned in autumn. The harsh winter does not allow them to gain strength by spring. This method is used in temperate regions.

How to prune young trees (video)

How to prune fruit trees in spring

Trees most easily tolerate pruning in the spring. Cut points are less prone to disease and heal faster. After winter, it is necessary to remove dried branches and form branches of the desired length to obtain a good harvest.

Pruning in the garden is carried out in certain sequence, depending on the type of fruit trees. First of all, pome crops are pruned, mainly apples and pears. Next, stone fruits are cut off - cherries, plums, peaches, apricots. The last procedure is ornamental plants.

In plants, some of the old branches are removed, which are directed to the center of the crown or depart from the trunk at an acute angle. This gives rise to new young shoots.

Cut the shoots correctly over the eyes growing outward from the crown. If the tree is weak, pruning is done over the third eye. In strong plants, about 8 eyes can be left. All cuts must be even and smooth.

Trimming methods

Pruning fruit trees has a variety of purposes. Gardeners distinguish several main methods of pruning:

Formative. considered the most important. It contributes to the correct formation of the crown and determines the general shape of the trees on the site. It is carried out in early spring, before the start of the movement of juice.
Regulatory. Needed to correct an already formed crown. Extra shoots are removed, overloading the tree and preventing good lighting. The period is during the summer.
Recovery. It is carried out if the plant needs rehabilitation. Dry, damaged branches are removed. Thus, the flow of nutrients to the updated shoots is enhanced.
Anti-aging. Allows old trees to renew, increase the growth of young fruit-bearing shoots. Promotes the awakening of dormant buds, activates flowering. Held in early spring.
Sanitary. Designed to prevent diseases and improve trees damaged by external factors. Plants can be infected with a fungus. The branches begin to dry, the bark turns black and flakes off. To prevent the tree from dying completely, all diseased shoots are removed. Some branches are broken by the weather and begin to die off, they should also be removed.

Wood processing after pruning

In order not to weaken the vital functions of the plant, after pruning, it is necessary to immediately treat the wounds. On healthy trees, cut points, especially large ones, can be covered with garden pitch.. It prevents cracking and remains on wood for 2 years.

Small sections up to 3 cm in diameter can be coated with water-based acrylic paint. For these purposes, oil paint on natural drying oil or minium is also well suited. In the absence of such funds, you can use ordinary clay. When cutting diseased plants, treat the tools with alcohol or a solution of manganese.

The surface to be treated must be dry, smooth and even. All protruding particles must be removed. Overgrowing of the wound starts from the bark, it should not exfoliate.

Tightly adhering to the cut surface, the putty provides protection against leakage of juice and drying of the branch. It is necessary to process even small sections, since the juice flowing down them is a favorable environment for the reproduction of harmful microbes.

Rejuvenating tree pruning (video)

Do not use varnish, tar and synthetic-based paints for processing.

Pruning fruit trees is an important procedure among the main gardening activities. It requires a systematic approach and, if carried out correctly, provides gardeners with a good harvest.

In order for a fruit tree or shrub to give a bountiful harvest, it must not only be watered and fed, but also cut. Why are some plants pruned in the fall and some in the spring?

Shrubs also need pruning. You need to pay attention to:, blackberry,. The main purpose of pruning is to form a crown to allow enough light to pass through. This in turn will lead to active growth of the shrub and an increase in yield. Pests will attack the bush in smaller numbers.

Blackcurrant pruned:

During the dormant period, that is, while there are no leaves and buds on the tree. Also, the operation can be carried out during the harvest.
Berries appear not only on mature, but also on young shoots. But on old branches, the harvest is not so plentiful, and the berries are not so juicy. You can identify old branches by color, they are darker.
On a young bush there should be up to 10 large branches. The rest can be removed.
When the bush matures, only the oldest shoots are removed, their number will be 1/3 of all.
The remaining shoots are shortened either to the very base, or to the first bud.
New branches should be added from the roots, so after pruning, the bushes spud.

Raspberries and blackberries trimmed:

. This period begins at the end of summer.
Pruning is sanitary in nature, that is, diseased or dried branches are eliminated.
The fruits appear on the shoots of the second year.
After harvesting, they can be cut to the very base, and on new season leaves up to 10 branches.
Fruiting on the remaining branches will come next year.
Young branches themselves are weak, so they need a garter. If the region has a cold climate, then the garter is done in the spring, when the shelter is removed.
If the bush did not give a visible increase, then only the strongest shoots should be left, and the lateral processes should be shortened.

Gooseberries and currants are cut:

During the dormant period, when there are no leaves and buds on the shrub.
You can also carry out additional pruning in the summer. This is necessary for the formation of new growth in order to get more yield.
These shrubs produce berries on old branches, so you need to leave only 5 mature branches no more than 25 cm.

In summer, young branches are pruned, leaving only a few leaves. Thus, the shrub will give all its strength not to the formation of new greenery, but to the ripening of berries.

Bilberry (blueberry) pruned:

In winter or spring, before the period of active growth. Fruiting occurs on last year's lateral shoots.
Young shrubs are pruned only lightly or not touched at all.
Mature shrubs form, leaving equally mature branches, medium and new growth.
After sanitary pruning, young shoots are cut to 2 buds, which bore fruit last year. If the bush is too thick, then 1/3 of all old branches are cut off at the root.
After pruning, the bush must be mulched and sulfate fertilizers are applied.

Young and mature plants. In most cases, pruning is carried out in the spring to rejuvenate the tree and stimulate the growth of new shoots that will bear fruit in the future.

More information can be found in the video.

All gardeners know that at the end of the summer season, you need to prepare the site for winter. There are a number of measures for this purpose, but the most the main task gardener - cut fruit trees before the cold.

It is generally accepted that pruning trees significantly increases their fertility, keeps them healthy and contributes to an increase in the next year's harvest. In part, this is true. Only in everything you need to know the measure and not overdo it with pruning branches. Trees such as apple, pear or plum do not need annual pruning, it is enough to carry out the procedure every 2 years or every other season. Otherwise, there is a risk of reduced fruiting and, as a result, a decrease in yield.

Gardeners distinguish two types of tree pruning:

thinning- removal of branches at the base.
Shortening- trimming part of the shoot.

Both types of treatment are effective and have been successfully used to prepare trees for winter. One has only to remember that the procedure is recommended to be carried out when the leaves have already flown around, and the juice circulation has stopped.

The purpose of thinning is to remove an old, diseased, or dead branch that interferes with others, grows incorrectly, or has become intertwined with healthy branches. Damaged shoots can cause a decrease in the yield of the tree as a whole, for this reason they must be removed in a timely manner. In addition, thinning allows the fruit to get more light through the foliage.

Trimming trees in autumn video

Pruning is a method of tree pruning designed to control the growth of branches and improve their yield. The essence of the procedure is to remove the upper part of the branch to the very kidney, from which the shoot will then begin to grow in the right direction. After shortening, the kidney will give new shoots, on which the fruits will subsequently ripen.

In the process of pruning trees in the fall, you need to remember the following recommendations.

After the procedure, it is not necessary to store cut branches on the site. Burn dried or diseased shoots to prevent infection of healthy branches.
It is impossible to shorten the crowns of trees too much, even if they are seriously damaged. Excessively short crowns may die.
Sections of large diameter should be immediately treated with drying oil, oil paint or a special substance.
Water trees liberally after pruning, especially young seedlings. This will save them from freezing.
top dressing mineral fertilizers in late autumn, it will not be an extra procedure after processing with pruners.

Timing of autumn pruning.

Experienced gardeners prune trees from late August until frost arrives. The beginning of leaf fall means that the trees are preparing for winter and go into a dormant phase. The nutrients accumulated over the summer in the crown of the tree gradually move down to the roots, and pruning can begin during this period. Autumn pruning should be more accurate and gentle than spring pruning so that the fruit tree does not weaken and overwinter safely.

Trimming procedure.

According to the rules, it is first recommended to remove dry, broken branches and those damaged by disease, fungus or overgrown with moss. Then branches are cut out that prevent others from growing - these are branches growing inside the crown, growing closely or intertwining with neighboring healthy shoots. Branches growing at right angles are also removed if desired. After the procedure, the cut points are treated with special substances, and the removed branches are burned. If the tree pruning procedure is carried out correctly, the next year will be fruitful.

A tree may need proper pruning in the fall for a variety of reasons:

Removal of diseased or wind-damaged branches;
Crown reduction to renew branches and improve air circulation;
Height reduction;
Removal of interfering lower branches;
Formation for design solutions;
Yield increase.

Once the decision to prune has been made, consider whether or not you should do the work yourself. If you have a large tree on your property where you want to remove the large branches at the top of the crown, it is best to hire professionals. In particular, trimming may require lifters and heavy chain saws. This is a job that should be left to trained and experienced professionals.

The time of pruning in the garden always depends on the use of the species and method. Thus, it is produced in different time year, in any season, but preference is given to the spring period, before the buds swell. Dead branches can and should be removed throughout the annual cycle.

Never compromise personal safety when pruning.

Spring

Pruning to enhance growth is recommended in the spring. This is because nutrients are distributed from the roots and perennial parts to the younger growing and fruiting parts. It is best to choose a period immediately before the start of sap flow, which will have a beneficial effect on pruning. Do not prune shrubs that bloom in spring.

Autumn winter

Pruning in the autumn and winter seasons is often carried out in areas where it is predominantly warm and there are no severe frosts. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to the bark and wood in the place where the cut was made by extreme cold or sunburn.

When planning pruning, it is important to remember that the temperature should not fall below -8 degrees. Pruning during this period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress on the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungal or insect infestation, as the fungus and insects are likely to be dormant. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning after leaf fall will give you a better idea of how the shape of the trunk will change. Fruit trees are not recommended to be pruned in autumn.

Summer

Gardeners rarely prefer summer pruning, because when the buds are swollen and the tree blooms, you can damage the annelids, and in summer the branches will have to be removed with the harvest. However, it makes sense during this period to pinch shoots that do not need strong growth., as well as the removal of tops that appeared after a large cut.

Pruning tools

Here are the main tools:

Secateurs. The use of ratchet tools is not recommended. It is best to choose a regular and comfortable secateurs.
Garden hacksaw. This is a specialized hacksaw that tapers towards the end of its blade. The teeth are arranged in such a way that they do not allow the hacksaw to clog with sawdust. It is not recommended to use a construction saw. For comfortable work, purchase a tool according to the profile.
Air pruner. Such a pruner is used for hard-to-reach areas of the tree. It is a bar to which a pruner is attached, driven by a lever and a rope.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the tool. Sharp blades must be used to avoid damage to the trunk or bark. Otherwise, there is a risk of surfaces susceptible to contamination by harmful microorganisms. Tree diseases are easily spread by contaminated tools.

So after each trimming, be sure to disinfect your tools in a 1/9 dilution of chlorine and water, followed by cleaning with soapy water and then drying.

How to prune trees and shrubs in the garden?

common goal- cut off the unwanted branch, while keeping the trunk intact. The most common mistake is cutting a branch too close or too far from the trunk. Or, breaking the sequence, damage the bark, especially when pruning large branches.

Depending on the purpose of the work being carried out, you will be able to determine which technology to use.

Cut on the kidney

Using this pruning method, you can, for example, change the direction of growth of branches depending on your needs. You need to choose a kidney located on a one-year-old shoot that grows in the right direction. Such a cut is made at an angle of 45 degrees to the branch.

The cutting blade of the pruner should point towards the part of the tree that will remain. Pruning is done by forming a slight angle so that the kidney remains intact, but at the same time without forming a stump. The kidney will dry up if it does not receive the necessary substances. This happens when a very sharp cut is made that hits the kidney. Here we must remember that our goal is for the kidney to form an escape.

At the same time, if a stump is left, it can dry out, and the kidney will not give a new shoot. Such a stump can only be left when pruning a shrub.

cut on the ring

When using this method, the entire branch is cut off. Depending on the thickness, a pruner can be used. In order not to leave a protruding stump and at the same time there is no “cut”, a cut should be made along the outer surface of the ring. Rings are located at the junction of the branches.

Side branch cut

If you want to leave a side branch and continue growing in its direction, you need to cut off the unnecessary branch. It turns out that the cut in relation to the left branch will become its continuation.

How much to cut?

Do not cut more than 25% of the branches of the tree. When deciding how much to cut, you need to focus on the bare minimum.

Each pruning is a great stress for the tree, and it also increases its vulnerability to diseases and insects.

Make sure the living branches are at least 2/3 the height of the tree. If you remove more than necessary, this will increase the risk of damage to the tree. Sometimes pruning is forced. For example, wind damage, height reduction due to power lines, municipal canopy requirements, etc. But even in these cases, trim as little as possible.

Care after pruning

Garden var, paints based on vegetable drying oil, petrolatum, etc. are suitable for covering cuts. Branches located on the periphery of the crown, with a diameter of less than 2 cm, are not lubricated.

Try to continue to monitor the condition of the tree and treat the resulting wounds, if necessary. If you notice any peculiarities in how a tree reacts to pruning, try to apply the experience gained in further care.