Knowledgebase

Leaves on fruit trees #924242

Asked February 04, 2026, 6:20 PM EST

I've started hearing about and seeing leaves on fruit trees, which is unusual for this time of year. What implications does that have for pruning and this year's harvest?

Benton County Oregon

Expert Response

Fruit trees are best pruned in the late winter just prior to bud swell. This reduces the chance for cold damage, which can be aggravated by pruning in winter. Looking at my own fruit trees in Eugene, I see buds swelling, but they have not leafed out yet.

Pruning in spring can reduce fruit set (meaning you will get less fruit this season). That can be a benefit since reducing the number of fruit will allow the sugars to be concentrated into a smaller number of fruit, improving the quality. One issue with pruning in late winter or early spring, is if the tree is actively growing, then some trees will bleed more sap from pruning wounds which can muck up your pruners.

So, yes, you can still prune your fruit trees right now, in fact February is often considered the optimal time since we are usually past the coldest weather. However, we have had a warm winter, which is nudging the trees out of dormancy. Be sure to watch the forecast and wait for a window without rain or freezing temperatures.

One final note, in the Pacific Northwest it is better to prune cherries and other stone fruits in the summer when the weather is drier. They are susceptible to a number of diseases, particularly bacterial canker, which can be spread by rain moving the bacteria into open pruning wounds. For cherries and peaches, prune in summer immediately after harvest to reduce disease issues.

For more on pruning, refer to this OSU Extension publication: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pnw-400-training-pruning-your-home-orchard

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