06/09/2025
Pruning Basics
Pruning is the process of cutting away parts of a plant to improve its health, shape, and size. It's an important part of plant care and can be done on both woody and herbaceous plants like grapevines, apples, pomegranates, figs, passion fruit, sweet sop, soursop, Jack fruit, etc. Pruning is an essential part of fruit trees care, especially for older plants.
Why is pruning important
Pruning balances growth and fruit production.
It helps maintain the balance as it causes dormant buds in the old wood to produce vegetative growth that will become the next young fruiting wood.
Pruning controls the age and position of the cropping wood which will improve fruit quality. Fruit grows best on wood that is 2-5 years old.
It also manages tree size and shape
Pruning helps you collect scions to propagate new plants through cuttings or grafting. Through this either old, local and rare varieties are produced
Pruning also increases the vigour of stagnated trees, encouraging strong vegetative growth in trees which will otherwise not produce new growth to graft from.
When should I prune my plants
Grapevines, apples and other fruit plants should be pruned annually during the dormant season, which is late fall to early spring. Grapevines can be pruned twice a year: one in the dormant season (late winter/early spring i.e early February to early March) for structural shaping and again in late summer to early fall(Mid September to early October) for new growth, improve fruit quality, and increase light pe*******on to the ripening clusters. This is the transition period to winter. The pruning from Feb- March is the main structural pruning, while the summer pruning is a lighter maintenance task to regulate the vine's vigor and direct its energy into producing fewer but larger, better-quality grapes. In Nigeria even though we do not have distinctive seasons, the best time is between early February to early March as we look forward to the rains and another from Mid September to early October when the rains are given way. During these times the plants are dormant (i.e a period when a plant's growth temporarily stops. It's a survival strategy that allows plants to survive in harsh conditions, like winter or dry seasons) and the buds are plump but not yet swollen.
How to prune plants? The ABC of pruning
Examine the entire plant.
Remove dead, diseased, or broken branches.
Remove crossed or rubbing limbs.
Remove water shoots.
Remove root suckers.
When pruning is required for the sole purpose of giving shape to your plants, use your discretion to get rid of unwanted portions.
What is the '3 Cs of pruning' rule?
The '3 Cs of pruning' rule usually refers to crossing, competing, and crowding branches, as these are common issues to tackle when pruning trees to ensure healthy growth.
"Crossing – crossing branches can rub against each other, which can create wounds and increase the risk of disease. Pruning any crossing branches will improve air circulation and reduce any potential damage they could cause.
"Competing – if two branches are growing in similar directions, they may begin to compete for resources, such as sunlight or nutrients. Removing one of these branches can redirect energy towards the remaining branch instead so it can grow better.
"Crowding – if a tree or shrub has an excessive amount of branches, this can create a dense canopy that can reduce the amount of air and sunlight that is able to pe*****te and circulate the plant. Thinning out these branches can improve the health of the tree."
How to do the 3 Cs of pruning for the best results
Now that you know what the 3 Cs of pruning are, you'll want to understand how to put them to good use in your garden. Below is each individual step in detail...
Crossing
"Before pruning, you should first identify any crossing branches by visually inspecting the tree or shrub, looking for branches that cross over or rub against each other. Prioritise any branches that are most likely to cause damage or affect the structure of the plant.
"When pruning crossing branches, this should be done carefully so that you do not cause any additional damage to the tree. It is best to prune the tree or shrub when it is dormant, as this will prevent causing additional stress to the plant. Make clean pruning cuts close to the branch collar, being careful not to damage surrounding bark."
Any pruning cuts should be made at a slight angle so that water is able to drain off, as this can reduce the risk of disease, he explains. You should also avoid removing too many branches at once, as this can stress the plant and affect its health.
Competing
When looking to prune competing branches, you should identify which of the branches is stronger or more aligned with the overall desired shape of the plant.
The weaker branch should be pruned back to the branch collar or nearest side branch, as this will improve the overall structure of the tree.
"If the competing branches are close but not identical, consider the angle of the branches instead, with branches at a wide angle usually being stronger. Repeat this process as needed for any other competing branches."
Crowding
Firstly, identify any branches that are crossing, rubbing together, or growing inwards towards the tree, as well as any dead or diseased branches.
If two branches are crowding each other, prune the branch that is less healthy, poorly positioned, or growing in the wrong direction.
When removing branches, they should be cut back to the nearest healthy bud or the branch collar, not flush with the trunk. In some cases, you may need to reduce the height or spread of a tree or shrub if it is severely overcrowded to improve its structure.
Now that you know the basics, the 3 Cs of pruning rule should be easily implemented in your own gardens this summer.
Keep upgrading your knowledge of exotic fruits to get the best out of them.
