Proper pruning after harvest can make a world of difference for fruit trees in California’s unique climate. This timely maintenance helps shape growth, remove diseased branches, and ensures bigger, better harvests next season.
California gardeners who master post-harvest pruning find their fruit trees not only look better but produce more abundant, higher-quality fruit year after year.
1. Apricots: Summer’s Golden Jewels
Apricot trees benefit tremendously from a good trim right after those sweet fruits have been picked. The Mediterranean climate of California perfectly matches what these trees need to thrive.
Focus on removing any branches that grew inward or rub against others, as these create unwanted shade and potential disease entry points. Summer pruning prevents the fungal diseases that plague apricots, especially in coastal areas where morning fog is common.
2. Peaches: Fuzzy Favorites
Nothing beats biting into a juicy California peach! After harvesting these summer delights, grab your pruning shears. Peach trees produce fruit on one-year-old wood, making post-harvest pruning crucial for next year’s bounty.
Cut away any branches growing straight up or down and focus on creating an open “vase” shape. This allows sunlight to reach all parts of the tree, preventing those annoying sunburned branches that California’s intense summer sun can cause.
3. Plums: Purple Powerhouses
California plum varieties thrive when given a good haircut after harvest. Most commercial orchards in the Central Valley follow this practice religiously, and home gardeners should too!
Trim away crossing branches and any shoots growing straight up from main limbs (water sprouts). Pay special attention to removing branches that dip toward the ground, as they’ll break under next year’s fruit weight.
For Japanese varieties especially popular in California, focus on thinning rather than heading cuts.
4. Nectarines: Smooth-Skinned Sensations
Nectarine trees absolutely love California’s climate and reward post-harvest pruners with magnificent fruit. Similar to their peach cousins, these trees need aggressive pruning to maintain productivity.
Remove any branches that grew more than 30 inches in the past season – these overly vigorous shoots rarely produce good fruit. The hot Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys demand special attention to prevent sunscald, so maintain some higher branches for partial shade.
5. Figs: Ancient Mediterranean Treasures
Fig trees have graced California landscapes since mission days, making them practically natives! Post-harvest pruning helps keep these potentially massive trees manageable for backyard growers.
Unlike other fruits, figs produce well even with minimal pruning. Focus on removing dead wood and keeping the tree at a harvestable height. Many California fig varieties produce two crops, so time your pruning after the main harvest in late summer.
Coastal growers should prune more aggressively to combat humidity-related diseases.
6. Pomegranates: Ruby-Seeded Wonders
Pomegranates have exploded in popularity across California gardens, thriving in our hot, dry summers. After harvesting those jewel-like arils, pruning helps maintain the shrubby structure these plants prefer.
Remove any suckers from the base and thin interior branches to prevent the dense growth that leads to fungal issues. San Joaquin Valley growers should be particularly vigilant about removing crossed branches that create humid microclimates where pests gather.
Leave several strong, upright branches to form the main structure.
7. Persimmons: Autumn’s Orange Glory
Persimmon trees paint California landscapes with fiery orange each fall. After harvesting these sweet treats, pruning helps maintain their naturally beautiful form while ensuring good production.
Focus on creating strong branch angles that won’t split under fruit weight – a common problem in older persimmon trees. The Fuyu varieties popular in Southern California need less aggressive pruning than their astringent cousins.
Remove any branches growing at narrow angles from the trunk, as these weak attachments often break during Santa Ana winds.
8. Pluots: Hybrid Happiness
These plum-apricot hybrids have become California orchard favorites, combining the best traits of both parents. After harvesting your pluots, pruning sets the stage for next year’s bumper crop.
Pluots tend to produce extremely dense canopies in California’s fertile valleys. Thin aggressively to allow light penetration throughout the tree. Remove any branches growing downward, as these rarely produce quality fruit.
In hot inland areas like Fresno, maintain enough foliage to prevent sunscald while ensuring good air circulation.
9. Cherries: Red Springtime Delights
Sweet cherries flourish in California’s northern valleys and foothills. After those juicy gems have been harvested, pruning helps maintain tree health and productive branches.
Unlike many fruits, cherries need gentler pruning. Focus on removing diseased wood and branches that droop too low. The goal is a modified central leader system that allows for good air circulation in California’s occasionally humid spring weather.
Growers in the Sierra foothills should be particularly careful to remove any branches damaged by late spring frosts.
10. Mulberries: Stain-Worthy Berries
Mulberry trees grow with wild abandon in California’s climate, making post-harvest pruning essential for keeping these vigorous trees in check. Their fast growth can quickly overtake a yard if left unpruned!
Focus on maintaining a reasonable height for easier harvesting next year. Remove interior branches to prevent the dense shade that encourages pest hideouts. California’s fruitless varieties still need structural pruning to prevent limb failure.
Coastal growers should be especially vigilant about thinning to prevent mildew issues.
11. Olives: Mediterranean Staples
California’s olive industry has boomed in recent decades, with home growers joining the trend. After harvesting these oil-rich fruits, pruning helps maintain productivity and tree health.
Remove any branches that droop too low – they’ll droop even lower when loaded with next year’s fruit! Create an open, airy structure that allows for good light penetration. California’s Central Coast growers should focus on preventing the dense growth that harbors olive fruit flies.
Maintain multiple main branches rather than a central leader.
12. Asian Pears: Crisp Apple-Like Treasures
Asian pears have found a perfect home in California’s climate. After harvesting these uniquely crisp fruits, pruning helps maintain their naturally beautiful form and productive branches.
Unlike European pears, Asian varieties tend toward horizontal growth patterns. Remove upright water sprouts and maintain the elegant spreading form. In California’s intense summer heat, be careful not to over-prune, leaving some foliage to prevent sunburn on main branches.
Foothill growers should create more open centers to combat fire blight.
13. Citrus: Sunshine In Fruit Form
While not traditionally pruned heavily, California citrus benefits from light post-harvest maintenance. Our state’s citrus industry sets the gold standard, and home growers can achieve similar success.
Focus on removing dead wood, water sprouts, and suckers from below the graft union. Unlike deciduous fruit trees, citrus needs minimal structural pruning. Southern California growers should pay special attention to removing branches touching the ground to prevent ant access.
Always sanitize tools when pruning citrus to prevent spreading diseases.