How to Heavily Prune an Old Nectarine Tree

Pruning your nectarine tree allows light into the tree and increases fruit production. Pruning too heavily decreases fruit production and quality and makes the tree more susceptible to injury. Since nectarine fruit is produced on the previous year's growth, leave enough old wood to ensure a good crop. Judicial pruning each year avoids the need to heavily prune older trees. Some neglected trees can be rejuvenated with careful pruning, but fruit production declines in old nectarine trees.


Clean your pruning saw and loppers in a 10-percent bleach solution made by mixing 1 part bleach with 9 parts water. Clean tools between cuts, especially when cutting diseased trees.


Prune away dead and diseased branches as they occur. Cut branches back to the main trunk using a pruning saw.


Cut away sucker growth around the bottom of the trunk and around pruning cuts.


Evaluate the size and shape of the tree and determine how you need to cut to make a pleasing shape and size. Do major pruning during the fall or winter while the tree is dormant. Use a stepladder to reach upper branches. Reduce the height and size of the tree by removing the longest branches.


Remove branches and shoots that grow vertically or that grow too close to the ground.


Prune lateral branches back to a healthy shoot. Cut the branch ¼ inch past the shoot with the pruning saw or loppers.


Remove up to one-third of the tree each year and up to half of the previous year's growth, shaping the tree over a three-year period.


Thin out excessive branches, opening the interior of the tree to light. Remove branches that rub against other branches or nearby structures.