Dispelling pruning myths

Myth No. 1 — Fruit trees and shade trees are pruned the the same way: Fruit trees are production organisms. Consequently, they are pruned each year to stimulate growth of the wood that will produce future fruit crops. Shade trees have no need to produce fruiting wood, so they are not pruned as often or as heavily.

Myth No. 2 — Wound dressings help the tree heal: Trees produce their own protective barriers, so there is no need to coat the wounds with tar, paint or other materials.

Myth No. 3 — Summer pruning is harmful: While we do most pruning on fruit trees while they are dormant, summer pruning does not damage trees. The best way to control water sprouts and suckers is to prune them in the summer as they are starting to grow.

Myth No. 4 — Overpruning is a serious concern: While it is possible to overprune a tree, most gardeners leave too much wood in the wrong places. Prune young trees lightly and focus on training them. For mature trees or trees that show little growth, prune more to stimulate additional growth.