Controlling Pests Without Pesticides WVU Extension Office Phone Listing Pruning Berries and Grapes Pruning improves yield, quality, and vigor of the plant. Suckers Any growth from below the bud union. Laterals Longitudinal growth. Bud An undeveloped branch.
Blackberries grow as vigorous vines that require heavy pruning at proper times.
Prune all canes that bore fruit immediately after harvest. If grown unsupported, the new canes can be trimmed to a height of 2-3 feet. These should be headed back in early Spring to leave about 1 foot of bearing wood. Raspberries grow and bear fruit similar to blackberries. Red varieties tend to sucker when headed back rather than make lateral growth.