When is the best time to prune persimmon trees?

Persimmon Tree Overview

The fruit of the persimmon tree is called persimmon. The tree has a beautiful crown and can be used as a shelterbelt. It is native to China and has a long history of cultivation. It is distributed in both the north and the south. Persimmon trees are drought-resistant and moisture-resistant, bear fruit early, have high yields, and a long lifespan. The tree can reach a height of more than 10 meters.

After a persimmon tree is grafted, it will take 5-6 years of care before it blooms and bears fruit. It will enter its peak fruit-bearing period after 10-12 years, and its economic lifespan is over 100 years. Seedlings bear fruit later, and need to be cared for 7-8 years after sowing before they can bear fruit. Under normal cultivation conditions, the fruiting period can reach over 100 years. If the tree is well cared for, it can be over 300 years old.

Persimmon tree pruning time

Persimmon trees can be pruned in March in spring, and the long branches and weak side branches that have overwintered should be pruned away to allow more side branches to sprout. After the flowering period ends in September, the withered flowers should be pruned to reduce nutrient loss. Pruning can also be done when the leaves fall in winter. Mid-to-early November is the most suitable time to shorten the overly long summer and autumn shoots.

Persimmon tree pruning method

After planting the persimmon tree, set the trunk at a height of about 1 meter, and select branches that branch out in three directions and grow more consistently as main branches. In winter, cut the main branches to about 60 cm and the middle trunk to about 70 cm.

In the second year, the three main branches are extended by 60 cm. Every year, one side branch is selected under the cut, separated to the left and right, and the second layer of branches on the central trunk are pulled open to serve as a transition layer.

In the third year, the middle trunk is cut back to 70 cm. Two main branches that grow in the gap between the first layer of main branches are selected for cultivation. Two years later, when the second layer of main branches grow, the middle trunk extension branches are removed to complete the tree shape. For the branches on the main branches, more pulling methods should be adopted to slow down their growth and produce more thin and weak branches, so as to bear fruit earlier.

Precautions for pruning persimmon trees

When the persimmon tree enters its peak fruit-bearing period, the tree is in a stable state. As the tree ages, the inner branches gradually weaken or even die because they cannot see the sunlight, and the fruiting part moves outward. When pruning, pay attention to the ventilation and light transmittance of the plant, enhance the renewal of the fruiting branches, and allow the branches in the fruiting part to slowly move closer to the main branches.