When to Prune Apricot Trees in Australia

May 17, 2022 | Posted by | in Palm Cleaning, Tree Surgery

In Australia, apricot tree pruning can be done in two seasons. To encourage fruit production, it's best to prune your apricot tree during spring, but pruning can also be done in autumn once leaves start to fall off. Below we've listed some tips for pruning your apricot trees to keep them in good condition:

When to prune apricot trees in Australia

1. Remove dead and dying wood from branches

This should be done at least once per year, but it's best to do it whenever you notice your apricot tree has deadwood on it. Deadwood can be identified by its bark, which is loose and slippery compared with the more tightly-fitting skin of live branches. Deadwood can occur for a number of reasons, including disease or weather damage.

Removing it will promote healthy growth in the future by ensuring that nutrients are only being supplied to useful parts of the plant; otherwise, energy could be wasted on unnecessary branches with no fruit or healthy leaves.

2. Remove branches that are too close together to enable easier access to the fruit

When pruning apricot trees, it's best to remove branches that are too close together, which makes access difficult when picking fruit. Prune to an outward-facing bud so the branch will continue growing in the right direction. Make sure the branch you're cutting is strong enough to hold the weight of the fruit, or use a prop to support it. Use sharp pruning shears and cut as close to the branch as possible (about 1/4 inch from the centre).

3. Look for suckers growing up from around the base of the tree that may be crowding out the other branches

A sucker is a stem that grows up from the root system of a tree. They are caused by a mutation in the tree's DNA, and they likely share their DNA with the apricot tree you planted. Suckers, if left alone, will grow up into trees themselves, competing with your original apricot tree for light and other resources.

As such, suckers should be trimmed away when they are young and small. You will need pruners and loppers, as well as a pair of work gloves to protect your hands. If you have larger suckers or if you are dealing with rot around their base (itself another issue), then you may need to take more drastic measures to get rid of them, including using a saw or similar tool.

Contact Us to Assist with Tree Pruning Today!

If you live in Lismore and Northern Rivers area and would like an expert hand to take care of pruning your apricot trees, reach out to us at Steve Cubis Tree Services on 02 6621 8801 or contact us online.