Prune in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant
Use clean, sharp pruning shears, loppers, and a pruning saw
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches first
Cut out crossing, rubbing, or inward-growing branches
Remove suckers growing from the base and water sprouts growing straight up
Keep the center open to allow light and air to reach the canopy
Maintain a strong framework of main branches
Make cuts just outside the branch collar
Do not remove more than one-third of the tree in a single year
Shorten overly long branches to encourage balanced growth
Thin crowded fruiting spurs if needed
Remove branches that grow too low or obstruct movement
Disinfect tools between cuts if disease is present
Clean up and dispose of pruned material properly