Prune in late winter or very early spring while the tree is dormant
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches first
Cut out crossing, rubbing, and inward-growing branches
Open the center of the tree to create an open-vase shape
Keep 3 to 5 strong main scaffold branches
Remove vertical water sprouts and weak shoots
Shorten long branches to encourage outward growth
Cut back last year’s growth to maintain manageable size
Make clean cuts just outside the branch collar
Use sharp, sanitized pruning tools
Remove suckers growing from the base or trunk
Thin crowded areas to improve light and air circulation
Prune more heavily on vigorous trees and lightly on weak trees
Remove any branches that hang too low or interfere with access
Dispose of diseased wood away from the tree
Repeat annual pruning to maintain shape and productivity