Photo: Adolphus Ypey, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Fruit plant
Jujube: when and how to prune
Ziziphus jujuba
Jujube is best pruned in February–March.
| Pruning months | February–March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | June–July |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Jujube: when to prune it?
In February–March, before it leafs out. It needs little pruning.
Jujube: how to prune it?
- Train a young tree with a trunk of 60–80 cm and three to five main branches.
- Later, remove only dead, diseased and crossing branches and keep the crown open to light and warmth.
- Remove suckers and shoots below the graft union as soon as they appear, in summer too.
- Do not prune too hard: the fruit grows on the short fruiting twigs carried by the older wood.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February–March.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Jujube flowers in June–July, when it attracts bees.
- 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: Wear sturdy gloves and long sleeves: the spines are sharp and catch on everything.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.