A walnut tree needs to be pruned differently than other fruit trees, as it is particularly sensitive to it. For this reason, it is also important to choose the right time for the cut. You can find detailed information on this in our article.

A walnut tree should never be pruned in winter

That is why pruning a walnut tree is difficult

Walnut trees bleed significantly more than their fruit tree relatives. When you prune your walnut, extremely large amounts of tree sap (referred to as "blood of the tree") will come out of the cuts. Anyone who is embarrassed to attack a walnut for the first time will certainly be surprised or even shocked when they see the intense flow of juice.

But why does a walnut tree “bleed” so excessively? The cause is buried in the ground: a walnut has extremely strong tree roots. These are so massive that they generate enormous outward pressure and literally force the juice out of the cuts.

The walnut plant needs its blood just as badly as humans need theirs. Therefore, the hobby gardener is responsible for pruning his tree as carefully as possible and, above all, with a good strategy to ensure that as little tree sap as possible escapes.

If you act rashly and incorrectly, there may be massive damage to the fine pipe system in the walnut tree. If the temperature is freezing during pruning (or a short time after the measure), the juice in the wounds freezes. As a result, the tissue tears. Other problems can also arise. For example, plant fungi and pests have (more) easier play due to the increased moisture.

All these facts show that when pruning the walnut tree, it is not just about the pruning technique, but also to a large extent the right time.

The right time to cut a walnut tree

In view of the risks described above, you should never cut your walnut after the leaves have fallen - i.e. in spring or in winter. Otherwise, it is foreseeable that your tree will not fare well.

Always make the corrective pruning in late summer, because the conditions are ideal at this time, as the tree is neither sprouting nor preparing for winter.

Between mid-August and late September, the sap pressure of the walnut tree is relatively weak. You should use this moment. Don't trim later - make sure to finish all trimmings by early October.

If you wait too long, the walnut will not have enough time before winter to regenerate from the procedure and to close the cuts.

Choose a dry, sunny and warm day!

When is it necessary to carry out planting or training pruning?

In addition to the corrective pruning, which you have to do regularly with older walnut trees, there are also planting and training pruning.

It is best to carry out these two cuts after the leaves have successfully sprout - i.e. between mid-June and mid-July.

Short summary of the optimal cutting times

  • Correction cut: late summer, mid-August to late September
  • Plant pruning: after leaves have sprout, mid-June to mid-July
  • Pruning for training: after leaves sprout, mid-June to mid-July

Category:

Vegetable garden