When is the best time to prune a pomegranate tree?

Timely pruning of pomegranate trees can achieve the effect of controlling the strong and promoting the weak, so that the tree can become moderately strong. It can also maintain the established tree shape and structure, and cut off those thin and weak branches, leaving only thick and strong branches, so that the remaining branches are relatively sturdy.

The fruits will then be larger and of better quality. It can also prevent excessive nutrient consumption from causing the fruits on thick branches to not grow, adjust the balance between vegetative growth and reproductive growth, and effectively change the crown lighting conditions and the nutritional status of the tree.

Pomegranate tree pruning time

The shaping and pruning of pomegranate trees can be done all year round, but it is mainly divided into winter pruning and summer pruning. Winter pruning is generally carried out from autumn leaf fall to spring bud break. The pruning content generally includes the cultivation of fruiting branch groups, the adjustment of the number of fruiting branches, the control of auxiliary branches, etc. Summer pruning generally does not involve drastic pruning.

How to prune a pomegranate tree

1. Thinning and pruning

Remove densely grown and overlapping branches, diseased and insect-infested dry branches, weak and drooping branches from the base to moderate the tree's vigor and increase the total growth of the tree. Cut off a portion of the annual branches at all levels, and be sure to leave leaf buds at the cut buds.

Otherwise, it will only bear fruit without branching and crown expansion. Shortening is divided into light pruning, medium pruning and heavy pruning. Light pruning cuts off one-third of the branches, medium pruning cuts off half of the branches, and heavy pruning cuts off two-thirds of the branches.

2. Retraction and pinching

For perennial branches that are weak or have limited growth space, you should cut back the strong branches to a place with good ventilation and light conditions. Cutting back will stimulate the local area and promote the sprouting of branches under the cut. When the new shoots grow to 40 cm in summer or autumn, remove the tender parts at the top to promote the growth of secondary branches and increase the number of short branches in the branch group.