Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
Japanese apricot: when and how to prune
Prunus mume
Japanese apricot is best pruned in March–April.
| Pruning months | March–April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March–April |
| Flowering | February–March |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Japanese apricot: when to prune it?
Straight after flowering, in March–April, in dry weather.
Japanese apricot: how to prune it?
- Cut the flowered shoots back to 2–3 buds: the new shoots will carry next year’s flowers.
- Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches back to the trunk or a side branch.
- Thin the crown so air and light can enter; remove a few old branches if needed.
- On a fan-trained tree: cut back or tie in shoots that grow away from the wall.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March–April.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March–April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Japanese apricot flowers in February–March, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Do not prune in winter or in cold, wet weather: that gives fungi such as silver leaf and bacterial canker a chance. Prune straight after flowering.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese apricot · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.