Prune as late in the winter as possible before new growth occurs, since heavy freezes after pruning could damage the tree. Save some pruning for the summer. Pruning too much in late winter can lead to vegetative overgrowth and reduced fruit production.
New growth will occur where you make each cut. Use loppers to make clean, sharp cuts. Gouges and jagged edges leave the tree vulnerable to pests and disease. After this first pruning, you might wish to paint the tree with white latex paint to keep it from getting sunburned and protect it from pests.
For the first two years of the tree’s life, prune only during the dormant season and keep the scaffold whorl cut back to 10 inches (25. 4 cm).
If larger branches have developed a collar, cut just outside the collar, a few inches from the trunk. Dead and diseased branches can be removed any time of year, since taking them off won’t affect the growth of the tree.
If you prune in the summer, be careful not to cut away too much of the tree. Pruning too late in the summer can make the tree vulnerable to cold winter temperatures. In the US, don’t prune after July to reduce the risk of frost damage to new growth. Beware that summer pruning can cause the tree to put its energy into leaf growth rather than fruit production.
