Need advice on pruning young hybrid persimmons (JT-02, Journey, Kasandra…)

MFJFIGS · August 4, 2026, 4:49pm

Hi all,

I need some guidance on how and when to prune my young persimmon trees. I currently have eight trees in the ground: seven were planted last year, and one was added this spring. All but one tree have grown quite tall and branched out nicely.

Journey: One 6-foot+ tree tall that has healthy branches, some of which are already three and a half feet long (planted last year) and one almost 5-foot+ tree (planted this spring).

Two JT-02 & one Kasandra: All flowered this year but dropped their fruit while small, which I expected for their age.

H118: Has not grown at all really, but surprisingly still has one fruit holding on.

Chuchupaka & H63a: Both established well and growing nicely.

Should I head back these tall trees? If so, when should I do it and at what height should I make the cuts?

Is there anything else I should be doing right now or toward the end of the season to prep them for winter?

I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thanks,

MFJ - Zone 6a/b Massachusetts

KS_razerback · August 4, 2026, 4:55pm

You could pinch the tips of the active growth on the side shoots that you would prune of this winter, so that only the center continues to grow.

MFJFIGS · August 4, 2026, 4:59pm

Thanks! I’ll do that. Should I pinch the main leader too, or let it grow unchecked

jrd51 · August 4, 2026, 5:14pm

No. Let the central leader grow. Don’t head it until winter when the tree is dormant. This will force branching next year.

So in sequence (1) head current side shoots now, then (assuming that they are too low to be permanent) remove them during winter; and then (2) let the central leader grow now, then (assuming it gets tall enough) head it during winter to force branching immediately below. Keep 3-4 of these branches as permanent scaffolds.

At this stage I typically remove side branches and just let the central leader explode. But tipping them is OK.

MFJFIGS · August 4, 2026, 5:33pm

Thank you, Joe!