Ok to prune apricot tree?

[frdnicholas]

My apricot tree is 5 years old and put out some flowers this spring. We got hit with some below freezing temps and so there's no fruit. Would it harm the tree to prune it now or do I need to wait until fall> I'm in Southeast Coastal Georgia.

 

[Meadowlark]

If it was my tree, I would wait until late next winter when the tree is dormant. The freeze you spoke of has already tapped the tree's reserves and I would not push it any further until dormancy.

 

[Chuck]

If it was my tree, I would wait until late next winter when the tree is dormant. The freeze you spoke of has already tapped the tree's reserves and I would not push it any further until dormancy.

I am afraid I must disagree with you on this. AFAIK apricots are the only fruit tree that should never be pruned while dormant. I am not exactly sure why but my dad always told me apricots were extremely prone to fungal diseases especially during cold damp periods. Other fruit growers have told me basically the same thing. He pruned our two apricots late summer every other year.

 

[Meadowlark]

... apricots are the only fruit tree that should never be pruned while dormant.

AI agrees with you on apricot dormancy.

However, I still would not prune that tree or any tree that is recovering from a killing freeze except to remove dead material. In this case, waiting until end of summer on any live material.

 

[Meadowlark]

... apricots are the only fruit tree that should never be pruned while dormant.

AI agrees with you on apricot dormancy.

However, I still would not prune that tree or any tree that is recovering from a killing freeze except to remove dead material. In this case, waiting until end of summer on any live material.

 

[frdnicholas]

Now I'm confused: the tree has definitely recovered from the freeze. We've had temperatures in the high 89s for weeks. If I should wait until the end of summer the tree won't be dormant, so that would be acceptable and not harm the tree? That way I wouldn't be pruning when the tree is dormant, yes?

 

[Chuck]

Now I'm confused: the tree has definitely recovered from the freeze. We've had temperatures in the high 89s for weeks. If I should wait until the end of summer the tree won't be dormant, so that would be acceptable and not harm the tree? That way I wouldn't be pruning when the tree is dormant, yes?

The way my dad did it was to prune after all fruit had ripened and had been harvested which was mid to late summer I think. This was 60 or 70 years ago. I just know it was really hot when he pruned apricots. All of our other fruit trees he pruned when they were dormant if he pruned them at all and it was still cold.

 

[Meadowlark]

... wait until the end of summer the tree won't be dormant, so that would be acceptable and not harm the tree?

Yes

That way I wouldn't be pruning when the tree is dormant, yes?

Yes...and the tree will have fully recovered energy stores from the freeze.

 

[MiTmite9]

Now I'm confused: the tree has definitely recovered from the freeze. We've had temperatures in the high 89s for weeks. If I should wait until the end of summer the tree won't be dormant, so that would be acceptable and not harm the tree? That way I wouldn't be pruning when the tree is dormant, yes?

You do know that there are different varieties of apricots, right? I hope when engaging in pruning, you will take that into account.
Why not ask at your local nursery re: time to prune and about the freeze you just had? Where was the tree purchased? Ask them.
Our only apricot tree is a volunteer that is over 15' tall now and growing right under our kitchen window. I don't have the heart to remove it. Last summer it graced us with six apricots. And we had to pick those a bit early, thanks to marauding squirrels.