The approach of most exegetes is to see in Jesus' words a process by which farmers pick off the adventitious sprigs from the fruiting branches (cleanses them) and cut off nonfruiting branches (takes them away). This interpretation of ai[rei, however, contradicts the evidence from Pliny that nonfruiting branches were preserved and nurtured for use the following season.70 It would be better to see Jesus indicating what actually occurred during the spring, namely, certain nonfruiting branches were tied to the trellises along with the fruiting branches while the side shoots of the fruiting branches were being "cleaned up." The nonfruiting branches were allowed to grow with full vigor and without the removal of any side growth or leaves, since the more extensive their growth the greater the diameter of their stem where it connected to the vine, giving greater ability to produce more fruit the following season. Removing the nonfruiting branches from the ground and placing them on the trellis would allow the rows of plants to benefit from unhindered aeration, considered an essential element to proper fruit development.71 To see ai[rei as removal (judgment or discipline) is to contradict the actual practice of the time.
Recognizing the practice described by the two terms, the meaning of "in Me" becomes apparent also. Both kinds of branches may be in Christ and may be abiding, since they both existed and were desired on every vine in Jesus' day. Denying that the unfruitful branch of verse 2 is attached to the vine violates the reality of the world from which the description arose.
What about Jesus' instructions to abide (mevnw, v. 4)? He told His disciples that they were fruiting branches that had been "cleansed" and so they could anticipate immediate fruitfulness, though that depended on their maintaining a proper relationship ("abiding") with Him. He implied by this that others were believing in Him who were not yet ready to bear fruit, but who needed to maintain a proper relationship with Him, to abide in Him (i.e., to stay in fellowship with Him) in order to bear fruit eventually. This understanding of verses 3-5 conforms to the cultural practices from which the analogy arose.
https://www.dts.edu/download/publications/bibliotheca/BibSac-Derickson-ViticultureAndJohn15,1-6.pdf