Warm Temps and Pruning

[Victor Van Meter]

Well, here in SE Ohio we went from 2" of snow on Saturday to, what looks like, a very early Spring over the next two weeks. I have 6 pear trees and 2 apple trees that I would like to prune, but with the warmer temps (80 degrees and sunny tomorrow) is it too late to prune them? Thanks for the help.

 

[Appleman]

You can prune most anytime of the year. I prefer to prune prior to bud break as to not disrupt any of the fruit buds. It is much easier to develop the structure of the tree prior to leafing out. Light summer pruning is a practice often used to remove suckers and allow for improved light penetration to the inner canopy. The old take home message told by the folks at the University Hort Farm is "If your prunners are sharp, then its ok to prune".

 

[Victor Van Meter]

Thanks. Guess I will sharpen up the pruners and get after it this weekend.

 

[H20fwler]

Not to late at all. I just started pruning today.

 

[WTNUT]

Well, here in SE Ohio we went from 2" of snow on Saturday to, what looks like, a very early Spring over the next two weeks. I have 6 pear trees and 2 apple trees that I would like to prune, but with the warmer temps (80 degrees and sunny tomorrow) is it too late to prune them? Thanks for the help.

No. You are good to go. Only problem is you might sweat.


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[CAS_HNTR]

I pruned in the snow last weekend......wish it was 80 and sunny! Hah

 

[bigbendmarine]

I pruned in the snow last weekend......wish it was 80 and sunny! Hah

Started pruning down FL way this past weekend and IT WAS 80! To the original poster's question, most general guidance for our area is late February - just before most budding begins in earnest. Can't help but believe it would be ok to prune in Ohio for a number of weeks more.

 

[Victor Van Meter]

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Victor Van Meter]

Did my pruning yesterday. Did notice the vines and briar patches in the woods have already started to leaf out because of the early warm temps.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

I may need to wait a little while yet. Walking in 3.5 feet of snow isn’t fun.

 

[SmallChunk]

I'm with you, wandering. I got two of my old trees out of the way just before the snow hit....I will have to wait until some snow melts in order to get back and do some more work!