(Image Credit: Kamloops Food Policy Council)

By Ruby Bruce, Kamloops Food Policy Council

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SOUND OFF: Tips and tricks for a happy fruit tree

Jan 16, 2026 | 6:00 AM

HAPPY 2026 FROM THE TEAM at the Kamloops Food Policy Council! As we enter a new year, now is the time to start thinking about fruit tree care, especially pruning, for the upcoming spring and summer. Over the years, we have seen increased damage to our local fruit trees due to the unpredictable patterns of climate change. Proper maintenance and care can help to make these trees more resilient to the everchanging weather, as well as increase fruit production, improve the overall structure of the tree and build resistance to pests and diseases. The consequences of avoiding pruning include easier spreading of pests and diseases, breaking limbs due to heavy wind or snow, and more difficulty in accessing the fruit when it comes time to harvest. In order to have more successful fruit bearing seasons in Kamloops this year and for the years to come, it is important to show your fruit trees the care that they deserve by freshening them up with some thorough pruning. And the best part? You can learn to do it yourself!

Tip #1: Prune when the moment is right

Making sure that you are pruning your fruit tree during optimal weather conditions is key. The sweet spot for pruning is early spring (March/April), after the coldest weather has passed but before buds begin to blossom. The temperature outside should be anywhere from 1 to 10 Celsius. Pruning too early or too late can cause a lot of stress to the tree, especially if it is already damaged. However, it is okay to work on more minor trimming of branches during high season. Just make sure you are not significantly cutting back the tree unless you are within the early spring window.

Tip #2: Use the correct tools

Before you begin to prune, get your tools together and make sure that they are suitable for the type of branches you’re working with. Very small and slim branches can be pruned easily using a pair of classic gardening shears/clippers on a ladder, or a telescopic pole pruner may be handy for very high branches. However, if a branch is larger than one inch in diameter, you will need a pruning saw or a pair of loppers with a larger cut diameter, or else you will end up with a messy cut and ultimately damage the tree further. Whatever tools you use, they should be nice and sharp to create a clean cut, as well as very clean, especially if you have used them in the past. Always clean your tools before and after using them to avoid spreading past diseases or pests. To learn more about pruning tools, check out this article by the Orchard People that gives some great advice.

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Tip #3: Learn to let go (eliminate dead branches)

Remember, a large or tall tree does not mean a productive tree, and it is not worth keeping any branches that are adding unnecessary density, weight and clutter to your tree. The fewer dead branches you have, the more energy your tree will have to spend on the healthy branches and therefore they will produce more delicious fruit. Give your tree a once over — any branches that are obviously dead (pale brown in colour, brittle, not growing any buds or leaves) can be cut off right away so you can then see what you’re really working with. If it is not immediately obvious, you can investigate to find out if a branch is dead by gently scratching the bark and looking at the vascular cambium just beneath the surface to see if it is still green in colour or if it has died and turned brown — or even begun to develop a cork-like texture. The latter type of branches should be removed from the tree. It is also recommended to remove branches that cross over each other, and to cut thin, living branches shorter.

For more information, YouTube has plenty of helpful tutorials to assist you in getting started. For example, here is a quick video by Sanctuary Gardens, including a demonstration of pruning on an apple

tree. Additionally, you can take a look at the City of Kamloops website for more resources and pruning tips. You can also check out our Gleaning Abundance Program page for more pruning resources — and keep an eye out for more pruning tips and tricks on Kamloops Food Policy Council’s social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. Good luck, and happy pruning!