Prune apple and pear trees in winter

Use this guide between leaf fall and bud break, roughly November to early March, on a dry day when the wood is not frozen. It is for free-standing bush or half-standard trees; trained forms such as cordons and espaliers are mainly pruned in summer. Have sharp clean secateurs, loppers, a pruning saw, gloves and a stable ladder or tripod ladder if needed.

Step by step

1. Check what you have and when to prune

   Confirm the tree is an apple or pear, not a plum, cherry or other stone fruit, which should not be pruned in winter because of the risk of silver leaf disease. Look at where fruit formed last year: most varieties fruit on short knobbly spurs, but some are tip-bearers that fruit at the ends of shoots, and those need lighter pruning. Stand back and walk round the tree before cutting anything.