| Landscape and Fruit Trees in Mediterranean | | | | branch is attached to the main trunk or a thicker |
| Climate Home Gardens | | | | branch. An exception is when a stem shoots |
| Spring is the season for pruning broadleaved, | | | | forward into a long, thin branch that is out of |
| evergreen trees, and cold sensitive species of | | | | proportion to the rest of the branches on the |
| tropical or sub-tropical origin. While pruning, the | | | | tree. It is best to clip such stems. |
| home gardener should treat the fruit trees as | | | | Pruning Fruit Trees |
| though they were ornamental landscape trees. | | | | There is considerable confusion amongst home |
| Deciduous trees should be pruned in their dormant | | | | gardeners as to how best to prune their fruit |
| season, which in Mediterranean and similar mild | | | | trees. It is common to see the branches cut back |
| winter climates, means towards the end of | | | | as though the tree is a rose bush or some other |
| winter. They should not be pruned in the spring as | | | | flowering shrub. This is a technique borrowed |
| pruning causes the sap that is rising in the plant to | | | | from agriculture where the farmer is more |
| bleed thereby depleting the tree of | | | | interested in maximizing yields than in maintaining |
| valuable energy and nutrients. If you have missed | | | | the natural look and beauty of the tree. |
| the boat, either wait till next year or carryout a | | | | In my view, garden trees are ornamental, |
| very light pruning in the summer. | | | | landscaping elements first, and providers of fruit |
| On the other hand, broadleaved evergreens and | | | | second. In fact, by pruning fruit trees as one |
| trees that come from tropical or sub-tropical | | | | would landscape trees, (i.e. by removing a few |
| climates are likely to be sensitive to cold and late | | | | limbs entirely) one gets the best of both worlds |
| frosts, and can incur severe damage if pruned | | | | — a worthy, natural-looking specimen that |
| too early in the year. They should not be touched | | | | produces enough fruit to supply the needs of the |
| until all possibility of frosts has passed. | | | | average family. |
| In Mediterranean climates, spring is the best time | | | | The Health of the Tree |
| for pruning because it anticipates the | | | | Another reason for not pruning fruit trees |
| plants’ principle growing season. There is | | | | according to the agricultural method concerns the |
| little point in allowing the tree to expend energy | | | | long-term health of the tree. Persistent pruning |
| on new growth only to remove that growth a | | | | that involves the removal of large volumes of |
| month or so later. | | | | material, depletes the energy potential of the |
| As opposed to shrubs and bushes, the aim of | | | | tree, and renders it more susceptible to pests and |
| pruning landscape trees is to develop and maintain | | | | disease. Remember that the tree, whether fruiting |
| the tree’s natural shape. For this reason, it | | | | or otherwise, is the most precious element in the |
| is a mistake to shorten branches as this detracts | | | | garden, and that pruning should be carried out as |
| from the natural flow of the tree. | | | | carefully, conservatively, and judiciously as |
| Instead, whole branches and limbs should be | | | | possible. |
| removed at their base, which is either where the | | | | |