How to prune english walnut 'tulare'

Late winter while fully dormant, before any sap movement begins. Establish four to six scaffold limbs spaced 18–24 inches apart vertically on the leader. Remove competing upright shoots and water sprouts. On mature trees, thin overcrowded laterals and remove dead wood using sharp loppers or a saw, cutting to the branch collar to minimize stub die-back.

Annually during the first five years; every one to two years on mature trees. 'Tulare' English walnut needs formative pruning to build a strong central leader with well-spaced scaffold branches. Prune lightly in late winter — walnut bleeds heavily if cut in spring. Once the framework is set, maintain by removing dead wood, water sprouts, and any crossing limbs. Avoid large wounds on mature trees.

Establish four to six scaffold limbs spaced 18–24 inches apart vertically on the leader. Remove competing upright shoots and water sprouts. On mature trees, thin overcrowded laterals and remove dead wood using sharp loppers or a saw, cutting to the branch collar to minimize stub die-back.