Zanthoxylum bungeanum is an important spice crop in China with high economic value. In order to maintain stable and high yield, besides paying attention to fertilizer and water management, pruning pepper is also very important. The pruning of Zanthoxylum bungeanum was carried out during the period from the picking of Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruit to the germination of the following spring. Pruning is best in the season of picking peppers. At this time, it is conducive to viewing the lighting conditions, improving photosynthesis, accumulating nutrients, enriching flower buds, promoting differentiation, relieving tree vigor, and making it difficult to sprout long branches. Generally, young trees should be pruned in autumn, and weak branches should be pruned when they enter dormancy.

When pruning, corresponding pruning methods should be adopted according to different stages of pepper.

When pruning young trees, we should master the principle of paying equal attention to shaping and results. In the first year after planting, according to the height required for cultivation, the trees are cut off from the ground, and in the second year, before sprouting in spring, the sprouting branches at the base of the trunk are cut off. About 6 main branches should be kept evenly in short cutting, and dense branches, competitive branches, weak branches and pests and diseases should be removed at the same time.

For the pepper tree that has already borne fruit, cut off the extra branches to further complete the modeling of the pepper tree. Pruning the branches in the crown is mainly sparse, except for pests, dead branches, cross branches, overlapping branches, dense branches and long branches. As a result, the branches should be strong and weak, staggered, so that the inside and outside of the branches can be evenly left, and the fists can be extended everywhere, which is conducive to picking peppers. Cut off vegetative branches by pulling, pressing back and releasing.

For old trees planted for many years, thinning is the main way to restore tree vigor by cutting off big branches and weak branches, removing old ones and keeping small ones, thinning weak ones and keeping strong ones.

The pruning of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, after the trees germinate in spring, erases the tender buds issued by the trees, erases the vigorous branches, clustered branches and slender branches on the back, and cuts off the sprouting branches around.