[header] How to prune nectarine trees [title] Start pruning in the winter while your tree is dormant. [step] Wait until the fruit has been harvested and leaves have dropped from your tree so you can see the branches easier. If you prune during the growing season, it could affect how the fruit grows that season. 
[substeps] Pruning can be done in the early spring, but it will be more difficult to see the branches that need to be cut once leaves start growing. [title] Use a pair of hand shears for thin growths.