Regular pruning leads to high yields in fruit trees. Immediately after harvest, thin out the crown. In spring, follow up with further fruit tree pruning. Grab your pruning shears in February and March, before the sap rises and the buds sprout. To prevent frost damage to the cut surfaces, temperatures should not be significantly below freezing during pruning.

• Ensure adequate space, light, and air for your fruit tree's crown to support fruit growth. A good rule of thumb: if you can throw your cap through the branches, there's enough space.
• Promote outward-growing shoots and remove branches that grow inward, touch, or cross each other. These compete and hinder fruit development.
• Also, remove water shoots (Wasserschosse) – those branches that grow steeply upwards. They produce few fruits and shade the fruit-bearing branches.

• To strengthen the woody body of the tree after good harvests, prune the branches less. This encourages buds to form along the entire length of the branch.
• To promote fruit set, prune fruit tree branches back hard. This will cause the branch tips to sprout vigorously.
• To optimally encourage outward-growing fruit shoots, shorten the tree branches above outward-growing buds. This ensures the young fruit branch gets enough light for growth.
• Completely cut back water shoots to their origin, meaning the branch collar.

For specific questions, such as about fruit rotation, identifying leading branches, or developing a round or spindle crown, experts are happy to help. Contact garden clubs and community colleges for assistance.