# Spring Pruning Question (berry plants)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 28, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160 "2014-04-28T03:26:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [April 28, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160/1 "2014-04-28T03:26:26Z")
After spending 5 months covered in snow (we live in NW Montana), my cultivated berry plants are finally starting to show signs of life. They grew like crazy last summer and as a result we had a bountiful crop.
This is only my second year of growing them so I’m not quite sure what I should do with all the canes. Do I thin them out? Cut them back? Both?
Any help would be appreciated!
---
### Author:  [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)
#### Post date: [April 28, 2014, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160/2 "2014-04-28T03:30:21Z")
What kind of berry? It can matter.
---
### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [April 28, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160/3 "2014-04-28T18:44:28Z")
Blackberries, Raspberries and Loganberries if that helps…
---
### Author:  [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)
#### Post date: [April 28, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160/4 "2014-04-28T21:33:13Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#):
>
> Blackberries, Raspberries and Loganberries if that helps…
These berries grow on second year canes. There are exceptions, hybrids, and ever-bearing types, but for the most part one year a new growth cane develops foliage and root strength.
The second year these canes bloom and set fruit.
And in the third year these canes are dead and should be pruned out and removed.
If your canes are showing signs of life leave them alone to bloom. Remove any dead canes. Easy as pie, berry pie.
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)
#### Post date: [April 28, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spring-pruning-question-berry-plants/687160/5 "2014-04-28T21:51:52Z")
[Pruning Rasberries](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UArPPRmGJsg)