Summer Pruning

Today morning, I got out from the bed with a secateur in hand and with a clear purpose in mind. Some people begin their day with tea. I often begin mine by looking at trees and deciding which branches need to go.

Summer pruning is one of those orchard jobs that may look simple from a distance, but it changes the health and productivity of a tree in remarkable ways. While winter pruning gets most of the attention, I have always found summer pruning equally important, especially in plums and cherries.

At this time of the year, trees are full of energy. Shoots grow rapidly, leaves become dense, and before long the canopy starts turning into a tangled green umbrella. If left untouched, many trees produce excessive upright growth that blocks sunlight from reaching the inner branches and fruits. I usually begin by removing these unnecessary shoots and overcrowded branches.

Almost immediately, the difference becomes visible. Sunlight starts filtering deeper into the tree. Fruits hidden in shade suddenly receive warmth and light. Better sunlight improves colour, sweetness, and the formation of healthy buds for the next season. Even the leaves dry faster after rain or morning dew, which helps reduce fungal diseases naturally. However, this also exposes to the damage by hail-storms, so I wait when the usual time of hail-storms has passed.

I also notice that summer pruning calms down very vigorous trees. Some trees are enthusiastic to the point of excess. They keep producing long vertical shoots while ignoring fruit production. By removing a portion of this unnecessary growth during summer using thinning cuts, I encourage the tree to put more of its energy into developing and maturing existing fruits instead of endless branches.

There is another benefit that becomes obvious while working inside the orchard. Dense trees trap humidity and stale air. Once the canopy is opened up, fresh air begins moving through the branches much more freely. This simple improvement can greatly reduce problems like mildew, scab, and leaf diseases. Lately the weather is quite erratic and rains happen randomly. So, the summer thinning helps even more now a days.

Practicality matters too. Harvesting from an overgrown tree is often frustrating. Pruned trees are easier to inspect, easier to harvest, and easier to manage. Additionally, there is less risk of heavy branches snapping under the weight of fruit. And there is also a lesser risk of my back snapping while reaching for the high hanging fruits.

Young trees especially respond well to light summer pruning. I prefer correcting their shape early while branches are still soft and flexible rather than waiting for thick woody limbs to create larger problems later. A few careful cuts today can save major pruning work in future years. However, I avoid pruning the well established trees. They don’t need too much of human intervention.

Of course, summer pruning must be done thoughtfully. Under strong summer sun, excessive pruning can expose branches and fruits to sunburn. I avoid removing too much at once, especially during very hot weather. The aim is not to shock the tree, but to guide it gently. Pruning just after rains or just before there is a forecast of rains is also not good. This can cause infections entering from the wounds.

Winter pruning and summer pruning each have their own role. Winter pruning encourages growth and structure. Summer pruning controls excess, improves light, and refines fruit quality. Together, they help create healthier and more balanced trees. As I walked back this morning with the secateur still in my hand, the orchard already looked calmer, brighter, and more open. Sometimes a few small cuts are all that a tree needs. Though, on a more philosophical front, I feel that the secateur in hand gives me a feeling of power and the act of pruning reinforces that false sense of control over nature. I also have to be careful of this feeling clouding my thoughts.

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