How to prune duke blueberry

Late winter to early spring while fully dormant (February–March). Remove all dead or diseased wood first. Then cut the oldest, thickest canes (dark, peeling bark) to the ground — aim to keep 6–8 healthy canes per mature bush. Shorten remaining long laterals by up to one-quarter to encourage branching.

Annually. Duke blueberry needs annual pruning to maintain fruit production. Without pruning, canes age and yields drop. Prune in late winter while dormant: remove dead, damaged, and crossing canes, thin the oldest canes (over 5–6 years old) to the ground, and shorten very long laterals to keep the bush open and productive.

Remove all dead or diseased wood first. Then cut the oldest, thickest canes (dark, peeling bark) to the ground — aim to keep 6–8 healthy canes per mature bush. Shorten remaining long laterals by up to one-quarter to encourage branching.