Pruning branches that have not leafed out but are still green

9 years ago

Hello! I have a Blenheim apricot in not the sunniest place, but it manages. This year there's a big old branch that did not leaf out. If I cut bits off the end, I can see that it is still green underneath. It looks a little weird to have this big naked branch amongst the leafy fruity branches, but if I know it is the right thing to do, I will leave it alone.

On that note, my first attempt at grafting (a couple of scions on a donut peach) seems to be a dud. No leafing out on the scions. However, if I cut the ends of the scions, they are still green. It's got to be at least three months since I tried to graft them. Throw in the towel?

Much obliged for your advice!

Comments (4)

jean001a
9 years ago
Prime requirement for gardeners is patience.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
9 years ago
Although I do not expect your apricot branch will survive, I see no advantage, other than looks, for removing it at this time. I agree with jean001a, wait. Al
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Lydia Lee
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks jean001a and Al, great to see you on the board. It sounds like if the branch is still alive, it's not a big liability to the tree. And if I open up a big wound now, I'll be exposing the tree to diseases. So my plan is to just sit tight and do some more investigative pruning in the fall to see what is going on there.

Re: my graft, I'm going to do same thing. I'm not getting any fruit from the tree this year, so it makes sense to wait. If the grafts don't take, I'm going to take them off in the fall and look forward to donut peaches down the line.

Thanks for helping me think through this!
napapen
9 years ago
If it were mine, I would check the base of the limb to see if there is green there. You may have a virus in that branch. Were it mine, I would cut it back. Penny