Properly done, early summer pruning can increase size. This is when very vigorous shoots are removed that don't really serve fruit. Later pruning, which should be done only from about a month before ripening of any given variety, improves color. I'm not sure if this also means higher brix. Improper summer pruning reduces brix by removing leaves that serve the fruit and probably size as well.

I always prune after fruit has been harvested in the summer.

I prune after the Japanese beetles have gone.

Harvestman,

Assuming a dwarf japanese plum ripens Aug.1, what 2 dates would you summer prune?

And is this right? The early pruning only totally removes useless, vigorous shoots. The later one trims all branches to maintain size for the dwarf. And, then, late winter pruning shapes and opens the tree. Right?

No, the later pruning is to let light in on the fruit to improve its color. A dwarf tree shouldn't need any special treatment to maintain it's dwarfness- that's what the rootstock is for.

I also prune off any 2-year shoots not carrying peaches if there are any. This can be done anytime you notice them.

I do first summer prune about the second week of June here- no later.

Both pruning events will help bring light to next years fruiting wood as well. I think it might be a good idea to do the annual pruning of peaches after fruit is harvested for earlier varieties to help at this also but I've never done it. I worry about affecting their hardening off and surviving a cold winter. I'd like to hear from more northern growers on this method.

If a branch has fruit near the trunk, but no fruit out further, would pruning the part beyond the fruit increase or decrease fruit size?