Apricot in April: monthly care

Apricots fruit on short spurs and on wood produced the previous year, so pruning technique and timing are critical. Unlike most fruit trees, apricots must be pruned in late spring and summer—specifically April and August—to minimise the risk of silver leaf disease and bacterial canker, both of which enter through wounds and are most active in autumn and winter. Never prune apricots during dormancy. In April, once buds have broken and growth is active, remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Thin out overcrowded growth in the centre of the tree to improve air circulation and light penetration, which reduces disease pressure and helps fruit ripen evenly. Cut back to a healthy outward-facing bud or side shoot. If you're training a fan against a wall, pinch back new side shoots to five or six leaves to encourage fruiting spurs. The August prune is a light tidy-up: remove any vigorous upright shoots (water sprouts) that have appeared since spring, and shorten the side shoots you pinched in April back to three leaves. This helps redirect energy into fruit bud formation for next year. Always use clean, sharp secateurs or a pruning saw for larger branches, and disinfect blades between cuts if you suspect disease. Apricots can bleed sap when cut, but this is normal in spring and summer and will seal naturally. Avoid heavy pruning; apricots resent it and may respond with excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit.