How to Prune Apple Trees & Pear Trees

The complete guide from the fruit tree specialists at Frank P Matthews

Apple trees and pear trees are among the most popular fruit trees grown in UK gardens. They are reliable, productive and well suited to our climate, but to stay healthy and produce delicious fruit year after year, they need correct pruning. While apples and pears are often grouped together, there are important similarities and subtle differences in how their trees grow, fruit and respond to pruning.

With a long history rooted in British tree growing, Frank P Matthews has built a reputation for producing high quality apple and pear trees for generations of growers. Drawing on this depth of experience, this guide shares our expert advice on when and how to prune apple and pear trees, helping you develop strong, well structured trees that continue to crop reliably for many years to come.

Why pruning apples and pears is essential

Pruning plays a vital role in keeping fruit trees healthy. It helps manage growth, improves sunlight penetration and air circulation, and encourages the formation of fruit buds. Well pruned apple and pear trees are easier to care for, less prone to disease and produce more consistent crops.

Without regular pruning, trees can become congested, with branches growing towards the centre of the tree. This leads to weak growth, shaded fruiting wood and a higher risk of damaged branches or disease.

Apples and pears compared

There is a well known saying about not comparing apples with pears, yet when it comes to pruning, these two fruit trees have a great deal in common. Apples and pears are both spur bearing trees, meaning most fruit is produced on short fruiting spurs that develop on older wood. This shared fruiting habit is one of the main reasons they are often pruned in a similar way.

That said, there are still important differences to consider. Pear trees typically grow in a more upright, vertical manner, producing strong shoots that rise quickly, whereas apple trees tend to develop more side shoots and a broader, spreading canopy. Pears can also be less forgiving of heavy pruning, so a more measured and lighter approach is usually recommended.

Unlike stone fruits such as cherries, plums or peaches, apples and pears tolerate winter pruning well. This makes them particularly suitable for pruning during the dormant season, when structure and shape can be improved without increasing the risk of disease.

When to prune apple and pear trees

The main pruning season for apples and pears is winter, when the tree is dormant. Winter pruning encourages strong new growth and helps shape the overall structure of the tree.

For most gardens, the ideal time is between late winter and early spring, usually from January to early March. Early March is often a good point, as the worst of the winter weather has passed but growth has not yet started.

As a general guide:

• Winter pruning shapes the tree and encourages new growth
• Summer pruning controls size and refines fruiting wood
• Light summer pruning can be done in mid August or late August

Summer pruning is particularly useful for trained apple trees and vigorous varieties, helping to control water shoots and improve fruit ripening by allowing more sunlight into the canopy.

Pruning young apple and pear trees

Pruning young trees focuses on establishing a strong framework. Whether you are growing standard apple trees, bush forms or trained trees, the aim is to create a balanced structure with well spaced main branches.

In the first few years:

• Select three to five main branches growing from the trunk
• Remove weak growth and shoots growing inwards
• Cut back to an outward facing bud to encourage an open shape

Avoid removing too much at once. As a rule, no more than one third of the tree should be pruned in any single year. This allows steady development without stressing the tree.

Creating the right shape

For most apple and pear trees, an open goblet shape is ideal. This shape allows light and air to reach the centre of the tree, which helps fruit ripen evenly and reduces disease risk.

To create this shape:

• Remove branches growing towards the centre
• Keep the centre of the tree open
• Encourage branches to grow outwards and upwards

Trained apple trees, such as espaliers and cordons, require a different approach, focusing on maintaining their structure rather than creating a goblet shape. However, the principles of light, airflow and balance still apply.

How to prune established apple and pear trees

Once established, apples and pears benefit from regular annual pruning. Start by removing dead wood, diseased wood and damaged branches. These should always be taken out first to keep the tree healthy.

Next, look for:

• Branches crossing or rubbing
• Strong shoots growing straight upwards, often called water shoots
• Growth growing inwards towards the centre

Remove large branches only when necessary, using a pruning saw and making clean pruning cuts. Always aim to maintain the overall shape of the tree rather than simply reducing size.

Most fruit is produced on fruiting spurs, so avoid removing these unless they are overcrowded or unproductive. Pruning should focus on thinning and shaping, not stripping the tree of fruiting wood.

Spur bearing and tip bearing varieties

Most apple and pear varieties are spur bearing, producing fruit on short spurs that develop over several years. These spurs should be preserved, as they are responsible for the majority of the crop.

Some apple varieties are tip bearers, meaning they fruit at the ends of the previous year’s growth. These need a lighter touch, as shortening all shoots can remove fruit buds.

Knowing whether your apple trees are spur bearing or tip bearing helps ensure correct pruning and better fruit production.

Summer pruning for apples and pears

Summer pruning is optional but useful, particularly for vigorous trees. It is usually carried out in mid August or late August once growth has slowed.

Summer pruning helps:

• Control excessive growth
• Improve sunlight reaching fruit
• Encourage fruit to ripen evenly

Keep summer pruning light. Focus on shortening new shoots rather than removing major branches. Pear trees, in particular, respond better to gentle summer pruning than heavy winter cuts.

Tools and pruning technique

Using the right tools makes pruning easier and safer for the tree. Sharp secateurs are ideal for small shoots, while a pruning saw is needed for larger branches.

Always:

• Use clean, sharp tools
• Make clean cuts just above a bud
• Avoid tearing the bark

Clean tools help prevent disease spreading between trees and ensure pruning wounds heal quickly.

Common mistakes to avoid

One of the most common mistakes is pruning too much at once. Removing more than about a third of the tree can result in excessive new shoots and reduced fruiting.

Other mistakes include:

• Leaving the centre of the tree too crowded
• Removing too much fruiting wood
• Ignoring diseased or damaged wood

Correct pruning is about balance rather than heavy cutting.

Expert advice from Frank P Matthews

At Frank P Matthews, we grow a wide range of apple and pear trees selected for UK gardens and orchards. Understanding how apples and pears grow, and how they respond to pruning, is key to long term success.

With regular winter pruning, occasional summer pruning and careful attention to shape, apple and pear trees will stay healthy, productive and attractive for many years. Whether you are caring for a young tree or managing a mature one, following these principles will help you enjoy more fruit and healthier trees season after season.

For more expert guidance, explore our fruit tree care guides or browse our range of apple and pear trees, all grown with UK conditions in mind.