How to Prune a Flowering Quince

Flowering quince shrubs and trees provide multi-colored flowers in spring and edible fruit in summer. With numerous cultivars available, there's one to suit every garden landscape need. Although low-maintenance, easy-care deciduous quinces do require pruning in order to do their best.

Why Prune Flowering Quince

Just like other spring-flowering shrubs, flowering quince need pruning immediately after it blooms. Without regular pruning, flowering shrubs can become spindly, leggy and overgrown. Pruning is also necessary to encourage vigorous new growth. This is particularly important since flowering quince bears fruit on new wood, usually off small branches coming from long new shoots. Pruning flowering quince trees is necessary to ensure the open framework of the trees, particularly the inner branches.

Pruning Techniques for Flowering Quince

Step 1 - Tools

Before attempting any pruning of flowering quince shrubs or trees, first make sure to sharpen all pruners – hand, loppers, extension pruners or other. If pruners aren’t their sharpest, the cutting motion will tear and damage the wood, leaving the tree or shrub susceptible to disease or pests.

Step 2 - Proper Pruning

The best flowering quince fruit buds will be found on lateral or side branches in the upper half of 1 year-old twigs. These same branches will produce good fruit for about 3 to 4 years. In order to ensure good fruit production, thinning out the oldest branches is usually all that’s required.

Some garden experts recommend pruning flowering quince trees the fourth winter after the plant has been placed in the garden. After the first pruning, make it a regular habit every winter.

Step 3 - Flowering Quince Trees

• In winter, prune excessive growth from the inner parts of the tree.
• Thin out weak or crowded limbs.
• Remove any dead branches.
• Prune out dead or unwanted shoots. Remove them completely, don’t just cut them back.
• Little other pruning is required.
• If trees become too tall, they can be shortened at the tops.

Step 4 - Flowering Quince Shrubs

• Using sharp hand pruners, cut dead, spindly or diseased branches completely out.
• Prune and remove any older branches close to the ground. These include those that have arched over to the ground from the weight of fruit. Do not leave long stubs that will attract pests and diseases. In general, flowering quince shrubs can be pruned back to about 6 to 12 inches above the soil. For young shrubs, repeat this process for several years to encourage vigorous growth.
• Identify a few 1 year-old suckers. Leave them to replace the older branches pruned out. Remove any excess suckers to prevent crowding out the flowering quince shrub.
• Identify 2 year-old (or older) branches. Prune them back to outward pointing buds or side branches of the shrub.
• Avoid pruning branches too short. That will produce overcrowded, dense growth that invites diseases and pests.
• The idea is to retain branches to create an open canopy, allowing air and light through.

In summary, prune flowering quince trees and shrubs after they’ve finished blooming, generally in winter for hard pruning. Use sharp pruners and strive to keep the plant’s open, natural shape.