Pruning for productivity

Posted by Kirsten Gibbs
Last updated 30th July 2021
reading time

  • When you grow a tree for a productive canopy (of shade, or fruit, or flowers, or air-cleaning properties), just letting it grow straight up is rarely the most effective approach.

    Instead you let the main stem (the leader) grow up nice and strong until you've got the height you want.

    Then you take it out, to encourage as many side shoots as you can, because that's where production happens.   From then on, every would-be leader is ruthlessly pruned out.

    Every tree needs a strong leader at the beginning of its growth.

    Once it's the right shape though, its better to redirect that energy to where it's really needed - the productive boundary.

    Pruning for productivity Row 1 image
Subscribe
  • Choose one or more of the following options: