How and when is the pruning of the almond tree?

Pruning the almond tree is a very important task, as it is a way to guarantee a good harvest and that it is also easy to pick.. If this were not done, the plant would grow uncontrollably and there would come a time when it would be difficult for us to pick the fruits from the highest branches.

For everything to go well, I am going to explain everything you need to know about pruning this wonderful fruit tree.

When should the almond trees be pruned?

The almond tree is a deciduous fruit tree that it resumes its growth as soon as temperatures begin to rise above 15ºC. Being a species quite sensitive to the cold - it only supports up to -5ºC - if we want to get a good harvest it is very important that we grow it in those areas where too intense frosts do not occur.

Pruning is a task that hurts plants; not in vain, what is done is cutting branches. Once done, the tree must spend energy to recover, and this can only be done if it is healthy and if the growing conditions are suitable. For all this, the almond tree is recommended to prune either at the beginning of autumn or at the end of winter / beginning of spring.

How do you prune them?

There are different types of pruning, depending on their purpose:

Formation pruning

It is made to give it the desired structure. As it is a fairly drastic pruning, it is done when the tree is at rest, that is, in autumn or late winter. It is done as follows:

• During the first year, all branches of the tree should be trimmed. Thus, lower branches will sprout.
• During the second year, the main branches will be cut to a height 2/3 of their length. The lower ones must be left, and those that sprout from the lower half of the trunk must be removed.
• During the third year, the main branches will be pruned to 2/3 in length, and the branches that go into the crown of the tree will be removed.
• From the fourth year, you have to maintain it, removing the suckers and trimming the branches that are growing excessively.

Fruiting pruning

Its main objective is to establish secondary productive branches. It is very simple, since you only have to remove the suckers, trim the branches that are growing too much and those that look weak, sick or are broken at the end of winter.

Restoration pruning

It is a pruning whose purpose is to try to recover a diseased tree or that has not been properly pruned.. Of course, you will not be able to prune those branches that have a diameter of 10cm, since it would cost them a lot to recover.

The ideal time to carry it out is at early winter, and it is done by eliminating leaving only the main branches with a length of 0,5m.

This way, you can have well-cared for almond trees that will produce good fruit  .