Thinning Apricot Trees
Although it’s great to see a tree laden with juicy apricots, branches can easily break under the excess weight. Apricot thinning ensures that the remaining fruit receives more sunlight and air circulation, which improves the size and quality of the fruit and benefits the overall health of the entire tree. Crowded fruit places the tree at risk of diseases and insect infestation. Thinning apricot trees is best done in early spring when the apricots are about ¾ to 1 inch (2-2.5 cm.) in diameter.
How to Thin Apricot Fruit by Hand
Apricot thinning is a simple task: just twist the excess fruit gently from the branch. Avoid pulling or yanking the fruit because rough handling can damage the branch. Allow 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.) between each apricot, which is sufficient space so the fruit won’t rub together at maturity.
Apricot Thinning with a Pole
Apricot trees usually don’t exceed 15 to 25 feet (4.5-8 m.) in height, but if your tree is too tall for hand thinning, you can remove the fruit with a bamboo pole. Wrap thick tape or a length of rubber hose around the end of the pole to protect the branches, then remove the apricots by gently rubbing or tapping at the base of the fruit. This technique gets easier with practice. Tip: Thinning apricot trees is time-consuming and messy, but here’s an easy way to save cleanup time (and your back). Just spread a tarp or plastic sheet on the ground to catch the discarded fruit. Now that you know more about thinning apricots on trees, you can ensure bigger, healthier fruits come harvest time.
