Why Is It Important To Prune Fruit Trees?

The winter season is the prime time to prune fruit trees typically grown in an orchard – such as apple and pear trees – as they are dormant. Careful removal of the dormant buds will revitalise the remaining ones and spark new growth.

Ideally, pruning needs to be carried out every 2-3 years for the best results, promoting healthy, productive, fresh looking trees. This article looks into why it is important to prune fruit trees and how you can reap the rewards of a flourishing fruit tree after professional pruning.

Why is it important to prune fruit trees?

Encourages growth

Pruning in the winter helps with the growth of new branches, eliminating the problem of the growth of your fruit tree becoming obstructed by old or damaged branches. Not only that, professional pruning using specialist techniques promotes stronger roots, ensuring that your tree can withstand extreme weather, such as strong winds and storms.

It’s worth noting that pruning your fruit tree in the summer can expose the fruit to sun damage and slow down the ripening process.  

Boosts fruit production

Following pruning, a healthy, well cared for tree stimulates growth and the production of fresh fruit. Dead wood which is left to rot or not properly removed is far more susceptible to fall victim to an infestation of insects or diseases. As such, cutting off dead or damaged parts of the tree through pruning promotes the growth of new buds and fruit.

Protects against tree-related diseases

Leaf curl, brown rot and bacterial canker are just a few of the diseases fruit trees can suffer from if not cared for properly. Professional pruning is a preventative measure to stop your tree from contracting such diseases, encouraging a long and healthy lifespan. Not only that, in cases where fruit trees have already contracted a disease, pruning will help to ensure it is swiftly and safely treated to stop the spread to other parts.

Eliminates dangerous branches

The fragility of dead branches still attached to fruit trees means that strong winds or storms can cause them to fall off easily; in cases where they are left completely neglected, they will most likely just fall off on their own accord, whatever the weather. Particularly if your tree is located near your property, by the roadside or near electric lines, this can be extremely hazardous. Hiring the expertise of a pruning professional will catch any issues with your fruit tree before they escalate into major costly – and potentially life threatening – problems.

Improves the look of your garden

Correct pruning of your fruit tree – by cutting off dead or damaged branches and removing parts that are growing fast than others – will enhance its shape and transform the overall look of your garden. Proper pruning of a fruit tree should create an open circular shape with four or five main branches stemming from the trunk; this can take the form of a fan shape when trained.

Artemis Tree Services

For professional tree pruning in Rickmansworth, Watford and the wider London area, look no further than Artemis Tree Services. We have over 20 years of industry experience specialising in all things tree-related, and our fully trained arborists are dedicated to carrying out the required tree service in line with relevant safety regulations, with minimal disruption to your property. To book an appointment with us for winter pruning of your fruit tree, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert team today.

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Jonathan

Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!... Martin and Luke arrived on time They were polite and did the job to my total satisfaction and cleared up Took the time they said it would when they arrived Well done!

5 days ago

Phil

Very professional job. The man in charge was excellent. Did the job exactly as we wanted it. Would highly recommend....

1 month ago

Anonymous

I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, profess... I have used Artemis a number of times and always feel confident that they offer an excellent service all the way through from the first visit to the final clearing up. They are knowledgeable, professional and friendly. They do great job and I would highly recommend.

1 month ago

Anonymous

Friendly staff. Work carried out efficiently. Left the area clean and tidy. Would definitely recommend Artemis....

1 month ago

Chris

Artemis are very efficient, knowledgeable, professional and easy to deal with....

2 months ago

David

This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again... This was the first time we have used Artemis, and the whole process from initial enquiry through to completion was very easy. We would definitely recommend their services, and will be using them again I'm sure.

2 months ago

Natasha

Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, ... Fantastic service from your team at Artemis. We needed a tree in our garden heavily crowned, having let it grow far too tall. We couldn’t be happier with the work done; the team were so professional, really lovely and left our garden tidier than it was before they arrived. We won’t hesitate to recommend Artemis to anyone needing tree work done

2 months ago

Anonymous

Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definite... Excellent service from first quote to final job. Very good communications and reminders so I knew exactly when they were arriving. Polite and hard working team who cleared up perfectly. Would definitely recommend.

2 months ago

Ajay Lal

Efficient and effective service. On site team were polite and ensured the site was left clean and tidy....

3 months ago

Anonymous

From approval for the pruning to tidying up after they left, the team has been impeccably professional, pleasant and kind....

3 months ago

Anonymous

Excellent service. Punctual and extremely professional manner in which they carry out their work. Really happy with the work done . Would definitely use the company again.... Excellent service. Punctual and extremely professional manner in which they carry out their work. Really happy with the work done . Would definitely use the company again.

3 months ago

Terry

We have been using Artemis Tree Services for many years now and have just had our annual tree and shrub maintenance visit. Wonderful job as usual. The garden now looks great thanks to a very hard work... We have been using Artemis Tree Services for many years now and have just had our annual tree and shrub maintenance visit. Wonderful job as usual. The garden now looks great thanks to a very hard working and knowledgable team. Thanks again, see you next year.

3 months ago

Anonymous

Excellent service from start to finish. Clear quotes, no jargon, prompt responses to queries and arrived on time. A large tree was expertly removed and recycled. The very professional and pleasant tea... Excellent service from start to finish. Clear quotes, no jargon, prompt responses to queries and arrived on time. A large tree was expertly removed and recycled. The very professional and pleasant team even removed the leaves from the lawn. Thoroughly recommend! Very reasonable pricing also. No hidden extras.

4 months ago

David Lynn

The team arrived on time, carried out all the requested work and left our garden neat and tidy. The tree work was as planned , we are very pleased and would recommend the company with no hesitation.... The team arrived on time, carried out all the requested work and left our garden neat and tidy. The tree work was as planned , we are very pleased and would recommend the company with no hesitation.

4 months ago

Anonymous

Brilliant set up - prompt, efficient and cost friendly - professional and tidy working. Very pleased all round....

4 months ago

Anonymous

Artemis removed a tree and neatened a hedge. The work was very neat. In all my dealings with Artemis, they have always been very reliable and trustworthy, and I have recommended them to a neighbour.... Artemis removed a tree and neatened a hedge. The work was very neat. In all my dealings with Artemis, they have always been very reliable and trustworthy, and I have recommended them to a neighbour.

6 months ago

Vicki

Very professional, efficient and friendly service. The team did an excellent job of taking down an old tree, planting a new one and pruning three others. Everything was left very tidy.... Very professional, efficient and friendly service. The team did an excellent job of taking down an old tree, planting a new one and pruning three others. Everything was left very tidy.

6 months ago

Jill Lesley Sloley

The tree work was carried out by friendly operatives who arrived on time and worked efficiently and well. They took away all the debris and left me with a tidy garden. The office people I have spok... The tree work was carried out by friendly operatives who arrived on time and worked efficiently and well. They took away all the debris and left me with a tidy garden. The office people I have spoken to have also been friendly, helpful and efficient.

6 months ago

Maggie

This is the first occasion using Artemis and we found the service from start to finish prompt, professional and friendly. The interaction prior to the commencement of the work was really efficient, a... This is the first occasion using Artemis and we found the service from start to finish prompt, professional and friendly. The interaction prior to the commencement of the work was really efficient, and the team on the day were great and the work completed was to an exceptional standard, as was the clear up afterwards. A big thanks to Loise, Lewis, Mo and Marchin for your hard work on the day, and to Scott too who did the initial quotation. Well done boys and we are so pleased with the end result!

6 months ago

Anonymous

Survey completed quickly after our enquiry and clear and concise quote provided within a day. Great booking and pre-visit communication. The chaps that did the work were courteous and professional - k... Survey completed quickly after our enquiry and clear and concise quote provided within a day. Great booking and pre-visit communication. The chaps that did the work were courteous and professional - knew what they were doing and clearly communicated how the job was going and answered any questions we had during the work. They took their time to do the job well. Site left tidy with trees pruned and shaped as agreed. Artemis are expert and professional.

7 months ago

steve lynch

Artemis have undertaken two pieces of tree work for us in the last few weeks and on both occasions they did an absolutely great job. excellent value for money, I would thoroughly recommend them!... Artemis have undertaken two pieces of tree work for us in the last few weeks and on both occasions they did an absolutely great job. excellent value for money, I would thoroughly recommend them!

8 months ago