How to prune loquat

After harvest in spring — before summer heat and well away from the autumn flower buds. Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches at their junction. Reduce the height of the central leader to an outward-facing lateral to keep the tree to 2.5–3 m. Thin the canopy by removing one or two older branches entirely each year to let light in. Use sharp, clean tools and disinfect between cuts.

Annually after harvest. Loquat benefits from regular pruning to limit its height (making fruit accessible), improve light into the canopy, and remove dead or crossing wood. Unpruned trees become tall and congested. Prune after harvest to shape the tree and thin crowded branches. Avoid heavy pruning in autumn, which can reduce the following season's fruit.

Remove dead, diseased, and crossing branches at their junction. Reduce the height of the central leader to an outward-facing lateral to keep the tree to 2.5–3 m. Thin the canopy by removing one or two older branches entirely each year to let light in. Use sharp, clean tools and disinfect between cuts.