Pruning

 

Pruning is useful for increasing the overall yield and long term maneageability of blueberry plants. The idea being to encourage the development of the blueberry branches in a way that has the best long term results. If offshoots off a branch appear to be weak, then likely they formed in a way thats not healthy. If most or all the offshoots of a branch are unhealthy then by cutting off the whole branch at the base it results in more sap for the other branches. Often one branch with too many offshoots results in to much of a overall load for the health of the branch. So trimming back on off shoots targetting the ones that look least productive results in a more healthy and productive overall branch.

Blueberry branches when cut require no treatment. They can handel cuts without risk of fungus setting in.

For overall management, branch that are to low and likely missed by pickers can be cut, with caution. Branches that stick out too far into the row should be cut to encourage the plants to grow up, instead grow wide. Wires can be run to the sides of the plants to encourage the plants to grow up.

Links on Pruning

Northwest Berry and Grape site on pruning Blueberries

University of Maine site on pruning Blueberries