How to prune sweet chestnut 'bouche de bétizac'

Late winter while fully dormant, before catkins emerge. Make heading cuts above outward-facing buds to open the canopy. Remove water sprouts and suckers at the base flush to the trunk. On mature trees, thin dense clusters of laterals so light penetrates to the interior.

Annually during formative years; every one to two years once established. Prune 'Bouche de Bétizac' to build an open, vase-shaped canopy that allows sunlight to reach the fruiting wood. In the first few years establish five to seven scaffold branches. Once mature, remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches annually and thin the canopy lightly to improve nut size and air flow.

Make heading cuts above outward-facing buds to open the canopy. Remove water sprouts and suckers at the base flush to the trunk. On mature trees, thin dense clusters of laterals so light penetrates to the interior.