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Pruning guide

How to prune cacao

Best time
After the main harvest flush — typically after the peak fruiting period ends; avoid pruning during heavy rain to reduce disease entry
How often
Twice a year — a main prune after harvest plus a lighter tidy mid-season
Technique
Remove all chupons (vertical water shoots from the trunk or rootstock) flush with the bark. Open the canopy by cutting out crossing, weak, or shaded branches at their junction. Lower the tree height by cutting back the central leader to an outward-facing lateral. Seal large cuts in humid climates.

More cacao care

Pruning cacao — FAQ

When should I prune cacao?

After the main harvest flush — typically after the peak fruiting period ends; avoid pruning during heavy rain to reduce disease entry. Remove all chupons (vertical water shoots from the trunk or rootstock) flush with the bark. Open the canopy by cutting out crossing, weak, or shaded branches at their junction. Lower the tree height by cutting back the central leader to an outward-facing lateral. Seal large cuts in humid climates.

How often does cacao need pruning?

Twice a year — a main prune after harvest plus a lighter tidy mid-season. Cacao requires active pruning to stay productive. Left unpruned, the canopy becomes overcrowded, humidity rises, and fungal diseases such as black pod take hold. Prune to open the canopy, remove chupons (suckers growing from the base or trunk), and keep the tree at a manageable picking height of around 4–5 m.

How do you prune cacao?

Remove all chupons (vertical water shoots from the trunk or rootstock) flush with the bark. Open the canopy by cutting out crossing, weak, or shaded branches at their junction. Lower the tree height by cutting back the central leader to an outward-facing lateral. Seal large cuts in humid climates.