An intensive growing system requires regular pruning to maintain canopy architecture. More frequent pruning times on cacao plantations have been recommended to increase the productivity. However, limited studies have examined this topic in cacao. In this study, the impact of pruning on canopy photosynthesis was observed at different times of the year (January, April, July, October) over three years period, for one cacao clone (M01) with different number of branches (one, two, three, and four), and different growing systems (trellis application and non-trellis). The impact of pruning and leaf age was also investigated over one year period, for two cacao clones (M01 and 45) in a trellis system growing in an East-West orientation and a planting density of 2000 trees ha-1. Overall, net photosynthesis was affected by the pruning treatments. In addition, leaf age also affects leaf photosynthetic rate. These results suggest that frequent pruning time is important to increase tree productivity. (résumé d'auteur)