The quince tree (Cydonia oblonga) requires less pruning compared to other fruit trees. However, occasional trimming is essential for maintaining a healthy crown and ensuring long-term fruit production. Here’s a guide on when and how to prune your quince tree.
Quick Summary
- Best Time to Prune: Late February to late March, on frost-free days.
- Objective: Maintain an airy crown with evenly spaced main branches and healthy fruiting wood.
- Steps:
- Regularly remove dead wood, crossing branches, and inward-growing shoots.
- During the first 4–5 years, shorten the main branches annually by one-third.
- For older trees, cut back old, spent fruiting branches.
When Should You Prune a Quince Tree?
- Quince trees bear fruit on wood that is two years old or older and grow slower than apple or pear trees. This means annual pruning for fruit production is unnecessary.
- Prune the tree every 4–5 years when the vitality of the fruiting wood declines or the crown becomes misshapen.
- Avoid pruning during frost periods, as quince wood is brittle and can be damaged easily.
How to Prune a Quince Tree
In the Early Years (Formative Pruning)
- After planting, aim to create a stable structure with 4–5 strong, evenly distributed main branches around the trunk.
- Annually shorten these main branches by one-third to encourage an evenly shaped crown.
- Remove crossing or inward-growing shoots.
Thinning Older Trees
- Regularly remove:
- Dead wood
- Crossing branches
- Inward-growing shoots
- Cut back old, unproductive fruiting branches to make space for new, healthy growth.
- Upright-growing branches can be pruned back to 2–3 buds.
Rejuvenating Older Quince Trees
- Mature quince trees often develop « broom-like » growth at the ends of drooping branches.
- Remove this dense growth but leave some shoots to maintain sap flow.
- Redirect drooping branches to younger, more vigorous shoots.
- Avoid over-pruning, as this can cause excessive broom-like regrowth.
Additional Tips
- Natural Growth: Quince trees often appear untidy and sparse by nature – this is normal and cannot be completely corrected through pruning.
- Flowering Shoots: Remove shoots inside the crown, as they are unlikely to produce quality fruit.
Conclusion
While quince trees require less frequent pruning than other fruit trees, a well-timed and carefully executed cut every 4–5 years ensures healthy growth and better fruit production. Keep the crown open and growth balanced, but avoid heavy pruning to prevent unwanted regrowth.