skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

VERY OLD apricot tree ... can I prune it back ...?

8 years ago

We have a 25-30 yr. old dwarf apricot tree. Each year now only the very top has blossoms & has leaves; the bottom nothing! The fruit we do get is wonderful.

To try & stimulate more vigorous growth, can I prune the top back in Fall/Spring beneath where it usually blossoms/leafs out ... or will this kill the tree? It must be: 'not long for the orchard' after all these years?!

-vieja

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

fireduck
8 years ago
Prune in winter (Jan-Feb). You can probably be fine by pruning...but I would prune all the way back through the old/unproductive wood. If there is new growth on the ends....it is still alive prior to the growth. That tree is on it's last legs, though.
Kevin Reilly
8 years ago
UC recommends summer pruning apricots because of disease. If tree is that old why not plant one nearby and when that one becomes mature remove the old one?

http://homeorchard.ucanr.edu/The_Big_Picture/Pruning_&_Training/
Related Discussions
Pruning young Apricot tree (pic)
Q
Comments (1)
Kittie: Your tree looks a little overly vigorous in the top. But First cut out any limbs that are in your way, crossing, or otherwise out of place. This would include the branch you mentioned. Either cut them out completely or cut them back to a less vigorous lateral shoot that is headed in the direction you want a limb to be. Then cut back the most vigorous shoots in the top of the tree to less vigorous side shoots or remove some of them entirely. Do all of this cutting in August only if you live in CA. If you live elsewhere, I would do it after you harvest this yrs crop. In CA you can get serious disease problems by pruning apricot any time but late summer. Each yr after this continue to cut out the most vigorous shoots in the top of the tree each summer. Basically the first rule in pruning a tree like this is to cut out any branch you don't like and do it every yr. If you do that the tree will not get too big and you won't be removing too much at once. The Fruitnut
...See More
Old Apricot tree
Q
Comments (3)
It does sound like shot-hole and that can indeed be treated. Post some pictures if you want a more certain diagnosis. Shot hole is not easy to treat but if you work at it it can be done. The main thing is spray copper just as the leaves are coming off in the fall, and again just before they emerge in the spring. It will be a challenge to spray a large tree, if you do it yourself you need a backpack sprayer with a long extension wand. Online stores like Gemplers will sell such stuff if you can't find it locally. Scott
...See More
Can I prune Apricot Tree ROOTS?
Q
Comments (1)
Snipping the tips of the roots when planting a bare root tree can help stimulate the tree to push out more roots at the pruned point. It can help with badly root bound trees to encourage the roots to splay out also. So yes, you can prune the roots however if your aim is to get the tree to flower again, that won't happen this season. It's done flowering and probably won't bear any fruit for the new 2-3 years while the root structure is growing into its new home and the branching structure is establishing. I'm sure it will flower next year but the likelihood of seeing any fruit is slim.
...See More
I Pruned My Fruit Tree Very Low, Did I Make a Mistake?
Q
Comments (10)
Seaweed is supposed to have low levels of both auxins and cytokinin. They are also unstable and exposed to elements they break down quickly. I have not done what I suggested myself since I did not face a situation like yours. There are artificial cytokinins but they are tricky to use properly. The dilution has to be very precisely controlled. Nurseries and commercial growers use them in all sorts of fancy ways to increase fruit production. May is a bit late to ship bare-root but it is still OK. General rule for pruning deciduous/evergreen tree when they are growing is to prune just above at least one or two leaves or a branch with a few leaves. Otherwise it may end up in branch death. When they are dormant, you can be more aggressive with established deciduous plants as long as they are strong and healthy. I do that frequently. Scratch the bark off in a little spot in the top inch of the scion and see if you notice any green. If it is green the scion is still alive. If not then try a little lower. Use a knife to scrape the bark. I bet the bark is pretty thin and should scrape off. Since your scion is not showing any sign of growth, I would let one branch grow from the rootstock and keep that pruned to 5-6 leaves. Keep the height of the rootstock branch below the first bud on the scion. That will keep the juices flowing and feed the roots. If the scion is still alive it may push growth. I will be inclined to provide all day shade for that plant.
...See More
vieja_gw
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, I have another ('Goldenglow' dwarf) new one planted similar to the old one- the old variety ( 'Goldenglow' dwarf) is no longer available in the U.S now I guess. I just was curious as to whether I could prune this 'ancient' one back to get more new growth or if I would kill it by doing so?!

We are not real fans of apricots as were not fond of most having rather dry, bland flavors but this one has had such great tasting apricots ... juicy & flavorful! Hopefully the new one close to the same variety will also be great.

All our fruit trees began flowering very early this year as we have had such mild weather (zone 7/ 5280 ft.) but we have had frosts in early May some years so not getting our hopes (or appetites!) up yet!!

We planted a 4-in-1 dwarf apple tree years ago but after 8 years of NO blossoms or fruits we gave up & cut the tree down ... ONLY to find on the tree now cut & laying on the ground: ONE apple that had formed among the dense leaves that year :( Now we jokingly planted one of those 'Fruit Cocktail' 6-in-1 grafted trees. SURPRIZE!! this the third year, it has 4 different branches in bloom (some white blossoms, some shades of pink). Anxious to see what fruit now develops! :)

Thanks for your ideas & suggestions .... will maybe try to prune back just a couple of the branches of the old tree this summer after the fruit is gone to see what develops on that branch later in the season ..... or next year.
BahamaDan Zone 12b Subtropics
8 years ago
Graft some scions from the old one onto the new one
vieja_gw
Original Author
8 years ago
Graft: Oh goodness!!! That is something I could/would never learn or try!!
Csanad
8 years ago
It's really not anything too special
fireduck
8 years ago
me is correct about summer pruning (a rarity). No wonder my apricots got sick! haha. Grafting hardwoods can be a challenge if you are not experienced in grafting.
Kevin Reilly
8 years ago
All the "dry/bland" apricots you talk about must have been store bought. Never had a bad one that was ripe from the tree. But if you really want to keep the old variety why not try and graft? There is nothing to lose except a few inches of scion wood from the old tree. I did my very first graft with a kitchen knife and elmers glue on the end of the scion and it took! It was a plum. It sounds daunting but it is not. Try it if you want to keep that variety.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Tidy Up Sprawling Native Shrubs With These Pruning Tips

By Oakley Gardens

Sound horticultural pruning methods work for native and nonnative plants alike

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

GARDENING GUIDES Got Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood

GARDENING GUIDES How to Prune Your Flowering Shrubs for the Best Blooms

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Less is often more when it comes to properly pruning flowering shrubs. Here’s what to do and why

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Small Garden? You Can Still Do Bamboo

By Matt Kilburn

Forget luck. Having bamboo that thrives on a wee plot just takes planning, picking the right variety, and keeping runners in check

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Old School Green Design: Keep the Trees!

Trees in the landscape add a sense of place, connection to nature, shade — and great beauty

GARDENING GUIDES Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them

By Falon Mihalic

Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action

DECORATING GUIDES The '70s Are Back. Can Ya Dig It?

By Becky Harris

No need to cringe. These 21 groovy blasts from the past are updated to look fabulous today

OUTBUILDINGS 12 Fun Backyard Forts Grown-Ups Can Love, Too

By Becky Harris

Kids might use them for secret meetings, but the word is out on these tree houses and playhouses that consider adult design tastes

Sponsored

Fresh Pointe Studio

4 Reviews

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators | Delaware County, OH

More Discussions

Peach variety recommendations, please

2

Peach trees need help!

1

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

Peach Tree Leaf Curl

6

What's causing this strawberry problem?

2