How to Trim a Young Fruit Tree
- 1). Remove the top of the tree when it's planted so the plant is 30 to 34 inches tall from the soil to its top.
- 2). Choose three to four branches on each side of the tree to act as a scaffold for the rest of the tree in the first year. Select branches that are uniformly spaced around the trunk. Cut any other branches off the tree, making cuts at the collar, where the branch meets the trunk, using sharp pruning shears. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle. Remove all branches from the 18 to 24 inches above the scaffolding branches.
- 3). Cut the branches so the tree has a Christmas tree shape in the third year to allow light to all the other branches.
- 4). Remove the top of the tree in subsequent years so it is 24 to 30 inches above the highest scaffolds.
- 5). Remove dead or diseased branches during the dormant season. Clean the pruning shears with rubbing alcohol after each cut. Remove branches that rub against each other during the dormant season.
