[imarr17]

I am about to prune young fruit trees (planted this year - some were bare root, some were potted trees) for the first time.
When I have removed any branches should I apply a protective coating on the open wound on the tree to protect from disease or frost? If so what type of product should I use?

[savbo]

By no means an expert but I understand that Prunus species - cherries and plums etc - need pruning while in leaf so that the wound bleeds and stops disease getting in. Others are best pruned once all leaves have fallen. Most arborists I know are now against wound treatments as the plant should close its own wound, but a few people still advocate it...

[evie2]

Hi Imarr17, I've always pruned my trees in the spring after they've flowered and this year they provided a bumper crop 

[imarr17]

So now spring has arrived what is the recommendation for pruning my young fruit trees (mainly apple but one cherry and one plum)?

(I made reference to the RHS gardening encyclopedia which recommends spring for cherry and plum and winter for apple.)

Any help will be appreciated.

[gillie]

"RHS gardening encyclopedia which recommends spring for cherry and plum"

Cut out any branches that are damaged or crossing others or heading off in the wrong direction.  That is probably all you will need to do as excess pruning of Prunus species is not a good idea, it will stimulate them to more vegetative growth at the expense of a crop (or kill them).

Sterilise your secateurs in bleach or Milton or whatever before you start.

[imarr17]

Thanks, I'll give it a try (both trees have some spurs which cross each other).

Hadn't thought about the secatuers so will make sure they are clean and bleached.

Thanks for the advice.

[Yorkie]

It's been such a harsh winter that I'd leave it a while yet, and aim more for late spring / early summer.