Prune in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant
Use clean, sharp pruning shears, loppers, or a pruning saw
Remove dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches first
Cut out any suckers growing from the base
Remove inward-growing branches to open the center
Thin crowded branches to improve airflow and light
Shorten overly long branches to control size and shape
Make cuts just above an outward-facing bud or branch junction
Remove no more than about one-third of the tree in a single season
Disinfect tools between cuts if disease is present
Remove any water sprouts or weak vertical shoots
Shape the tree to keep a manageable height for harvesting
Clean up and dispose of pruned material properly