{"id":2725,"date":"2026-02-18T05:14:30","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T10:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/?p=2725"},"modified":"2026-02-18T06:29:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T11:29:00","slug":"pruning-fruit-trees-in-spring-in-quebec-a-complete-guide-for-apple-pear-and-plum-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/news\/pruning-fruit-trees-in-spring-in-quebec-a-complete-guide-for-apple-pear-and-plum-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"Pruning fruit trees in spring in Quebec: a complete guide for apple, pear and plum trees"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2725\" class=\"elementor elementor-2725 elementor-2724\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-61273b6e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"61273b6e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-67842415\" data-id=\"67842415\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7447a4bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7447a4bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>March arrives and your <b>fruit trees<\/b> are ready for their annual pruning. Missing this critical window means a disappointing harvest, small fruit or no production at all this year.<\/p><p><b>Pruning fruit trees<\/b> in spring is not complicated, but it does require precise timing and specific techniques. A poorly positioned or ill-timed cut can jeopardize several years of production.<\/p><p>This guide explains <b>when and how to<\/b> prune your apple, pear and plum trees. You&#8217;ll also understand why so many homeowners choose to entrust this delicate task to certified professionals.<\/p><h1><b>Key points to remember<\/b><\/h1><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">The ideal window for <b>spring pruning<\/b> in Quebec is from mid-March to mid-April, before bud burst.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Apple and pear trees (seed trees) are <b>pruned differently<\/b> from plum and cherry trees (stone trees).<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pruning too severely<\/b> (more than 20% of the branch) stimulates excessive growth to the detriment of fruit production.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Clean, sharp tools<\/b> are essential to prevent disease and promote healing.<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">A <b>certified arborist<\/b> identifies problems you can&#8217;t see and applies the right techniques to each species.<\/li><\/ul><h1><b>Why spring pruning is crucial in Quebec<\/b><\/h1><p>Spring is the ideal time to prune your <b>fruit trees<\/b> in Quebec. The trees are still dormant, but the sap is beginning to circulate. This circulation helps the tree heal quickly and resist infection.<\/p><p>The<b>absence of leaves<\/b> gives you a clear view of the tree structure. Identify dead, diseased or misaligned branches that are detrimental to production. But seeing the structure and understanding what to cut are two different things.<\/p><p>In Quebec, the window generally runs from <b>mid-March to mid-April<\/b>, depending on your region. In Mont\u00e9r\u00e9gie and the Eastern Townships, the third week of March often marks the beginning. You need to finish <b>before the buds<\/b> swell and burst.<\/p><p>Pruning too early exposes the cuttings <b>to frost<\/b>. Pruning too late<b> stresses the tree<\/b>. This precise timing is one of the main reasons why it&#8217;s best to leave this task to <a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/services\/pruning-of-fruit-trees\/\">the specialists<\/a>.<\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2734\" title=\"Differences between pome and stone trees\" src=\"http:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Differences-entre-arbres-a-pepins-et-a-noyaux-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Differences between pome and stone trees\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Differences-entre-arbres-a-pepins-et-a-noyaux-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Differences-entre-arbres-a-pepins-et-a-noyaux-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Differences-entre-arbres-a-pepins-et-a-noyaux-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Differences-entre-arbres-a-pepins-et-a-noyaux-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Differences-entre-arbres-a-pepins-et-a-noyaux.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p><h1><b>Differences between pome and stone trees<\/b><\/h1><p><b>Apple and pear<\/b> trees produce fruit on old wood and on short fruit-bearing branches called lambourdes. These trees tolerate pruning well and benefit from regular thinning. According to<a href=\"https:\/\/espacepourlavie.ca\/faq\/quand-faut-il-tailler-les-arbres-fruitiers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Espace pour la vie<\/a>, you can prune up to 15-20% of the branches to stimulate the formation of new fruit-bearing branches.<\/p><p><b>Plum, cherry and other stone trees<\/b> produce their fruit mainly on the previous year&#8217;s wood. Pruning too severely eliminates fruit-bearing branches.<\/p><p>This distinction between species completely changes the approach. <a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/\">Certified arborists<\/a> apply techniques specific to each type of fruit tree to maximize your harvest.<\/p><h1><b>The three types of pruning and when to use them<\/b><\/h1><table><tbody><tr><td><p><b>Size type<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>When to use it<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Objective<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Training pruning<\/p><\/td><td><p>Years 1 to 3 after planting<\/p><\/td><td><p>Creating the basic structure<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Maintenance pruning<\/p><\/td><td><p>Annually on mature trees<\/p><\/td><td><p>Remove dead wood, aerate<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Fruiting pruning<\/p><\/td><td><p>Established productive trees<\/p><\/td><td><p>Stimulate fruit production<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p>Training <b>pruning<\/b> is applied to young trees to establish a solid framework. This stage determines the tree&#8217;s harvestability and long-term productivity. A malformed structure can never be completely corrected.<\/p><p>Maintenance pruning becomes your <b>annual routine<\/b>. Remove dead, crossing and diseased branches. Simple in theory, but identifying which branches to remove without compromising production requires experience.<\/p><p>Fruiting pruning is designed to encourage fruiting buds. On <b>apple<\/b> trees, you shorten certain side branches. Shortening too much or too little completely changes the result.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2736\" title=\"Common mistakes that jeopardize harvesting\" src=\"http:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Erreurs-courantes-qui-compromettent-la-recolte-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Common mistakes that jeopardize harvesting\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Erreurs-courantes-qui-compromettent-la-recolte-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Erreurs-courantes-qui-compromettent-la-recolte-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Erreurs-courantes-qui-compromettent-la-recolte-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Erreurs-courantes-qui-compromettent-la-recolte-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Erreurs-courantes-qui-compromettent-la-recolte.jpg 1999w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p><h1><b>Common mistakes that jeopardize harvesting<\/b><\/h1><p>Pruning in <b>cold weather<\/b> is the most common mistake. If the temperature drops below -5\u00b0C in the days following pruning, the cuts freeze and create wounds that heal poorly. <a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/about-us\/\">Professional crews<\/a> monitor the weather forecast before every job.<\/p><p>Using badly-sharpened tools tears the bark instead of cutting it cleanly. These tears become entry points for <b>disease<\/b>. We sharpen our tools daily and disinfect them between each tree.<\/p><p>Pruning too severely stimulates<b> excessive <\/b>gourmand<b> growth <\/b>to the detriment of fruit-bearing branches. Leaving <b>snags<\/b> instead of cutting flush with the crown creates areas of rot. The cut <b>must be clean<\/b>, just outside the healing bead. This precision makes all the difference between<b> rapid healing and infection<\/b>.<\/p><p>Confusing wood buds with fruit buds leads to the removal of bad branches. This visual distinction is acquired <b>with experience.<\/b><\/p><p><b>When to call in a professional<\/b><\/p><p>If your <b>fruit trees<\/b> have never been pruned or have not been pruned for several years, a professional assessment is essential. Neglected trees require a gradual approach over 2-3 years to restore their structure without stressing them.<\/p><p>For a young, recently planted tree, training pruning determines its future productivity. Professional intervention in the early years avoids permanent structural problems.<\/p><p>If you notice rubbing branches, large areas of dead wood or declining production year after year, these are signs that <a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/\">expert intervention<\/a> would significantly improve your results.<\/p><p>Professional pruning of fruit trees increases production by <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-contenu.quebec.ca\/cdn-contenu\/adm\/min\/agriculture-pecheries-alimentation\/agriculture\/agriculture-urbaine\/GM_agriculture_urbaine_MAPAQ.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">30-50%<\/a> compared with untended trees.<\/p><h1><b>The best approach for productive trees<\/b><\/h1><p>Establish an annual <a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/services\/tree-trimming\/\">professional pruning<\/a> schedule. This routine keeps your trees in optimum productive condition and prevents the build-up of problems that would require costly major interventions.<\/p><p>Document the condition of your trees with annual photos. These photos will help you follow their progress and communicate effectively with your arborist during future interventions.<\/p><h1><b>Invest in your future harvest<\/b><\/h1><p>Pruning fruit trees in spring is a <b>direct investment<\/b> in your harvest. The difference between a<a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/about-us\/\"> professionally pruned<\/a> tree and a neglected one is measured in tens of kilos of fruit every year.<\/p><p>Precise timing, techniques adapted to each species and correct identification of the branches to be removed make the difference between a beneficial intervention and a costly mistake.<\/p><p>Whether you choose to prune yourself or call in the professionals, acting now in the critical <b>March-April <\/b>window will determine your success throughout the season.<\/p><p>The optimum size window is fast approaching. Our teams of certified arborists are already planning March-April interventions for our customers. <a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/\">Our interventions<\/a> are designed to maximize your production while maintaining the long-term health of your trees.<\/p><p>Discover our<a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/services\/pruning-of-fruit-trees\/\"> fruit tree pruning services<\/a> or<a href=\"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/contact\/\"> contact us<\/a> to schedule your spring pruning.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41d611d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41d611d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Frequently asked questions<\/b><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa58160 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"fa58160\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2621\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2621\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Can I prune my fruit trees in February in Quebec?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2621\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2621\"><p>You can prune if temperatures remain consistently above -3\u00b0C. In February, the risk of severe frost remains high. Mars offers greater safety. Our arboriculturists monitor the weather forecasts and intervene at the optimum time for each property according to its microclimate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2622\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2622\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What's the difference between pruning and fruit pruning?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2622\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2622\"><p>Pruning aims to reduce the overall size of the tree for safety or space reasons. Fruit <b>pruning<\/b> is specifically designed to optimize fruit production. The techniques, cuts and objectives are completely different. Entrusting this task to a specialist avoids costly mistakes.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2623\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2623\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much does professional fruit tree pruning cost?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2623\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2623\"><p>The cost varies according to the number of trees, their size, condition and location. A standard tree generally requires 30-60 minutes of professional work. The investment is quickly recouped through increased production. Contact us for a free estimate tailored to your situation.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2624\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2624\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">My apple tree didn't produce any fruit last year. What can I do?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2624\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2624\"><p>Several factors influence production: spring frost, lack of pollination, incorrect pruning or natural alternation. A professional assessment identifies the real cause and proposes appropriate solutions. We offer consultations to accurately diagnose production problems.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-2625\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2625\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How often should I have my fruit trees pruned?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2625\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2625\"><p>Annual pruning gives the best results. Regular interventions maintain a productive structure and prevent the accumulation of dead or misaligned wood. Our annual maintenance customers enjoy consistent, abundant harvests year after year.  <\/p>\n<p>No. A large crack can expand with each freeze-thaw cycle. The tree may fall without warning during the next episode of wind or snow. Immediate assessment is required.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>March arrives and your fruit trees are ready for their annual pruning. Missing this critical window means a disappointing harvest, small fruit or no production at all this year. Pruning fruit trees in spring is not complicated, but it does require precise timing and specific techniques. A poorly positioned or ill-timed cut can jeopardize several [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2730,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2725"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2758,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2725\/revisions\/2758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arboxygene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}