Specific advice for old inherited fruit trees - Ask Extension
I have moved into a home with several fruit trees (apple, pear, plum) and I guess I've missed the pruning time. The extension service pruning document...
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Specific advice for old inherited fruit trees #926137
Asked March 16, 2026, 8:22 PM EDT
I have moved into a home with several fruit trees (apple, pear, plum) and I guess I've missed the pruning time. The extension service pruning document has good info for new trees, but these trees are old and weird shaped! I'm tempted to cut them shorter, and I tried to prune a couple already, but I'm not satisfied with what I'm doing. I'd like to find someone to look at them and tell me what I can cut safely next year. I'm thinking it's easier to see now without leaves!
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Carrie,
Thank you for the pictures and showing where you want to cut them. If you cut them as pictured, especially if you cut them with a flat surface, you will not have fruit for several years, and you will open the trees up to rot because the water will not drain off the flat surfaces.
Also, cutting that severally is not recommended. Recommendations are to cut branches that are 4 inches or less in diameter. While that is not always possible, that can allow the tree to seal off the area.
If you look at the multitude of small upright branches, sometimes called water sprouts, that's what you will get from the trees with a severe pruning.
The best time to prune fruit trees is after the blossoms fall. They have used their initial built up energy to bloom and you should have less branches sprouting after that.
Of course there are more leaves and it isn't as easy to see. But that should eliminate the 100s of thin, whip-like erect branches that I see on the trees.
Some other advice; cut the small branches (1 inch in diameter) at the main limb. Cut the limbs at a 45 degree angle to allow water to drain off the cut limb (the thick limbs).
Remove crossing, competing, or crowded limbs, or broken, damaged, or dead limbs. Dead limbs are usually grayish and crack when bent.
You want sunlight and good airflow through the center of the trees. Prune any limb that is growing toward the center hindering airflow.
The tree nearest the electric wires needs to be shortened soon. However, I would be guessing if I started to say which branches to eliminate.
If you want to keep the trees, I suggest calling an experienced arborist to prune the trees whether you have it done now or after the trees blossom.
Pruning the lower, thin, erect limbs could be done by you but the rest might be best handled by a professional.
We are not allowed to make recommendations for commercial arborists, nor are we allowed to come to residents' homes.
Thank you for your inquiry. If you have further questions, please re-contact us.
Thank you for the pictures and showing where you want to cut them. If you cut them as pictured, especially if you cut them with a flat surface, you will not have fruit for several years, and you will open the trees up to rot because the water will not drain off the flat surfaces.
Also, cutting that severally is not recommended. Recommendations are to cut branches that are 4 inches or less in diameter. While that is not always possible, that can allow the tree to seal off the area.
If you look at the multitude of small upright branches, sometimes called water sprouts, that's what you will get from the trees with a severe pruning.
The best time to prune fruit trees is after the blossoms fall. They have used their initial built up energy to bloom and you should have less branches sprouting after that.
Of course there are more leaves and it isn't as easy to see. But that should eliminate the 100s of thin, whip-like erect branches that I see on the trees.
Some other advice; cut the small branches (1 inch in diameter) at the main limb. Cut the limbs at a 45 degree angle to allow water to drain off the cut limb (the thick limbs).
Remove crossing, competing, or crowded limbs, or broken, damaged, or dead limbs. Dead limbs are usually grayish and crack when bent.
You want sunlight and good airflow through the center of the trees. Prune any limb that is growing toward the center hindering airflow.
The tree nearest the electric wires needs to be shortened soon. However, I would be guessing if I started to say which branches to eliminate.
If you want to keep the trees, I suggest calling an experienced arborist to prune the trees whether you have it done now or after the trees blossom.
Pruning the lower, thin, erect limbs could be done by you but the rest might be best handled by a professional.
We are not allowed to make recommendations for commercial arborists, nor are we allowed to come to residents' homes.
Thank you for your inquiry. If you have further questions, please re-contact us.
Thank you for your response! First, I want to assure you that the mark was just a height reference, I don't want to cut them flat at 7 feet! ☺️ And, second, waiting until blossoms fall gives me more time to consider the trees.
Thank you for your time.
Just your local Goddess . . .
Dear Local Goddess,
You are welcome.
You are welcome.
