Growing Green: It's fruit tree pruning timeNow is the time to
start pruning your fruit trees. Pruning your trees while they
are in dormancy reduces the possibility of fire blight in
crabapples, apples and pears, as well as minimizing canker
diseases in cherries and plums. By: Robin Trott, U of M
Extension Educator, Alexandria Echo Press Now is the time to
start pruning your fruit trees. Pruning your trees while they
are in dormancy reduces the possibility of fire blight in
crabapples, apples and pears, as well as minimizing canker
diseases in cherries and plums. A good pair of pruning shears is
probably one of your most important tools. Cuts up to three-
fourth inches in diameter may be made with them. (Anvil pruning
shears work well for removing dead wood, bypass pruners work
well with living wood.) Lopping shears are similar to pruning
shears, but their long handles provide greater leverage needed
to cut branches up to one and a half inches in diameter. Pruning
saws are very important for cutting branches ov