How to prune jujube trees with diagrams and methods

Date tree pruning time

Jujube trees are pruned twice a year, mainly in winter and summer. The time for summer pruning is from May to June. It can be done earlier in the south but not in the north. The best time for winter pruning is after leaf fall but before budding of the next year. Timely pruning can inhibit the crazy growth of jujube heads, reduce nutrient consumption and increase fruit setting rate.

Jujube tree pruning method

1. Thinning branches

If the jujube tree grows vigorously and has dense branches and leaves, it will lead to insufficient ventilation and light transmission inside, and more diseases and insect pests will appear. You can cut off the dense branches, diseased branches, crossed branches and thin branches inside the tree. You can start pruning from the base, which can promote the normal growth of the jujube tree.

2. Shorten

If the newly grown branches of the jujube tree are thick in the front half and gradually dry up in the back, they need to be pruned back. This can promote the growth of new shoots, increase the number of branches, and make it grow more luxuriantly.

3. Shrinkage

If the branches of the jujube tree droop due to the large number of fruits, or their growth gradually weakens, they need to be pruned moderately, usually at the branches. It is important to know that pruning back thick branches can rejuvenate the plant, but pruning back thin branches will inhibit the normal growth of the plant.

4. Pull branches

If the date tree grows unevenly, you can pull the branches to change its overall shape, increase light transmission and ventilation. You can use wire or rope to make it open at a certain angle to allow the inner branches or long branches enough growth space.