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When Should You Prune Thornless Blackberries?

Thornless blackberries are fruit vines that produce clusters of blackberries. They grow erect or semi-erect either as upright vines or as trailing vines. These vines are perennials and put out new vines each year. Annual pruning keeps the plants productive and prevents tangled vine masses. Thornless blackberry vines, properly pruned, yield berries for many years.

  1. Erect Thornless Blackberries

    • Prune erect or semi-erect thornless blackberries the first year you plant them. These vines grow upright and may need a one-wire support. Prune or pinch off the vine tips when the vines are 30 to 36 inches long. This forces the plant to develop lateral or side branches. These green and vigorous vine canes are called primocanes and they rarely produce berries. The next season, the green primocanes become thick, woody floricanes that produce fruit.

      Begin regular pruning when the blackberry bushes start bearing fruit. Each year the floricanes shrivel and die after fruiting. Prune the old canes off at the ground after harvest. Prune off diseased or damaged canes at the same time. In late winter prune off any remaining dead or damaged canes.

      According to the University of Florida Extension, some growers prune or mow off all vines after harvest to about 1 foot high. This reduces disease and insect infestation but also reduces the next season's yield. University of Florida researchers suggest that this severe pruning can be done every three or four years. Alternatively, cut bushes back in rotation to maintain yield while reinvigorating the vines.

    Trailing Thornless Blackberries

    • Prune trailing or semi-trailing thornless blackberries the first year you plant them. These vines ramble along the ground unless they are supported on a trellis or multi-wire fence. Prune or pinch off the tips when the vines are 40 to 48 inches long. Drape or twine vines on the support after pruning so that lateral or side branches develop off the ground.

      Prune old vines off at crown or ground level after harvest. Remove the dead vines; they may harbor anthracnose and other diseases or pests. Prune out any damaged or infected canes and destroy them with the old floricanes. The University of Florida Extension recommends burning old or infected canes.

      After pruning old canes in late summer and autumn, tie new vines or primocanes to the trellis in a fan or branching shape. In winter or early spring before growth begins, prune the laterals back to 12 inches. This pruning encourages easy harvesting and larger berries, according to the West Virginia University Extension Service.

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