Pruning Stone Fruits - Ask Extension
I have cherry, plum, and peach trees. I have always pruned them in late winter. I have more recent advice from a NAFEX presentation that I should pru...
Knowledgebase
Pruning Stone Fruits #925576
Asked March 07, 2026, 2:15 PM EST
I have cherry, plum, and peach trees. I have always pruned them in late winter. I have more recent advice from a NAFEX presentation that I should prune my peach trees just before bud break. I also recently have seen advice on the Cummins Nursery website that I should be pruning stone fruits after blossom when a dry period is expected. I think this is to avoid bacterial diseases. Any guidance?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
According to experts at the University of Nebraska, "Most fruit tree pruning is done during the dormant season, February through early April. Apple, pear, tart cherry and plum trees should be pruned first; more cold tender trees including peach, apricot and sweet cherry should be pruned in late March just before bud swell. Regardless of the cultivar grown, do not prune any tree before January or winter injury is likely to occur."
https://lancaster.unl.edu/pruning-established-fruit-trees/#:~:text=Regardless%20of%20the%20cultivar%20grown,injury%20is%20likely%20to%20occur.&text=Mature%20fruit%20trees%20should%20be,and%20damaged%20branches%20each%20year.
According to experts at the University of Maine, "Summer pruning in late July or August is another time when pruning can be performed, but severe pruning at this time will weaken the tree. Therefore, the majority of pruning should be done during winter or spring."
https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/pruning/
You have probably seen the University of Minnesota publication that discusses growing stone fruits here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden
https://lancaster.unl.edu/pruning-established-fruit-trees/#:~:text=Regardless%20of%20the%20cultivar%20grown,injury%20is%20likely%20to%20occur.&text=Mature%20fruit%20trees%20should%20be,and%20damaged%20branches%20each%20year.
According to experts at the University of Maine, "Summer pruning in late July or August is another time when pruning can be performed, but severe pruning at this time will weaken the tree. Therefore, the majority of pruning should be done during winter or spring."
https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine/pruning/
You have probably seen the University of Minnesota publication that discusses growing stone fruits here:
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden
