Benefits of Pruning
All experienced raspberry growers know that if they want an abundant harvest, they must prune the bushes. The details of black raspberry bush pruning are somewhat different than other varieties, but the benefits are the same. The benefits of pruning raspberry bushes are these:
- Better picking access
- Sunlight reaching the lower portions of the bush
- Better air circulation which discourages disease
- Improves quantity and quality of fruit
Timing of Pruning
The timing of pruning is important. If done at the wrong time, it may eliminate the production of fruit that season. Knowing the black raspberry growing cycle before pruning is crucial to understanding all the aspects of pruning.
First Year
Only lush vegetation grows on the canes the first year of growth. No pruning is needed.
Summer Pruning
The purpose of summer pruning of black raspberry bushes is to make picking easier and to increase production. When the primocanes reach 24 inches tall, pinch out 2-3 inches of the tip of each primocane. Doing this will encourage lateral branching which results in more fruit. Soon after harvest, cut at ground level all fruit-bearing canes, then destroy them.
Dormant Pruning
Dormant or early spring pruning is done when the canes begin to bud, but before leaves begin to appear. Pruning after the leaves appear could stunt the growth of the bush. Here are the simple steps of dormant pruning of black raspberry bushes:
- Cut down to the ground the canes that bore fruit the previous year and the canes that are damaged (brown and brittle) from the cold.
- Thin each bush to the strongest 4-6 canes. Cut to the ground the weaker canes. Skip this step if the bush is young and doesn’t contain 4-6 good canes.
- Cut unbranched canes to 3 feet long.
- Prune the lateral or side branches by cutting off growth after the eighth through tenth bud from the cane. Branches will usually be 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet long after pruning.
Helpful Tips When Pruning
The proper clothing and tools while pruning make the job more pleasant. Protect yourself from the prickly canes and branches of the black raspberry bush by wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Use sharp pruning shears for making the necessary pruning cuts. Remember to disinfect the shears before and after use to prevent the spread of disease.
