What is a Spur?

When you prune your fruit tree, it will stimulate fast growing water sprouts. These long, weak branches will shade the inner canopy from receiving sun light. Inside of the canopy, there are important, slow growing branches called spurs. Spurs are identified by their rough texture. This texture is caused by the terminal bud scars stacked one on top of the other. Nodes and internodes are also close together. Below you will see examples of spurs on several popular fruit tree varieties.

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Apple Tree Spur

Peach Tree Spur

Pear Tree Spurs

Apricot Tree Spur

Cherry Tree Spur

Spurs contain fruiting buds. Because spurs grow slowly, they are attached to older, more sturdy branches. Fruiting buds on sturdy branches should have priority over weak, spindly branches. Pruning fruit trees will open up the canopy and allow more light to penetrate to the fruiting spurs, thus giving you a better fruit yield.

Thanks for reading! For more information regarding fruit tree care and pruning, please join our Backyard Fruit Growers Facebook Group and subscribe to our Fruit Pruning YouTube Channel. If you are new to pruning, take this 9 Lesson Pruning Course.