How to Prune Raspberries

Summer-bearing (floricane) raspberries

1. 1Remove spent floricanes — After harvest, cut the canes that fruited (floricanes) to ground level; they will not fruit again.
2. 2Thin the new canes — Leave no more than about 4 to 6 healthy canes per foot of row, removing weak, damaged, or crowded canes.
3. 3Top the canes — Optionally cut back the remaining canes; this reduces total yield but produces larger fruit.

Fall-bearing (primocane) raspberries

For the simplest management and a single late-summer/fall crop, cut every cane to the ground once dormant in late fall or early spring. The crowns overwinter and send up fresh primocanes that fruit the same year.

✔ Not sure which type you have? Fall-bearing canes fruit on this year's new growth; summer-bearing canes fruit on last year's canes.

Sources

Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.

• University of Minnesota Extension — Pruning and training raspberries — Remove spent floricanes and thin to 4-6 canes per foot; primocane types can be cut to the ground when dormant.
• Oregon State University Extension — Berry pruning basics — Summer-bearing raspberries fruit on second-year canes; fall-bearing types fruit on first-year canes.
• Utah State University Extension — Raspberry management for Utah — Primocane-fruiting raspberries can be mowed or cut to the ground each dormant season for a single crop.

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