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When the times comes to do your Fall or Spring pruning of your treasured fruit trees one must bear in mind that when it comes to the Peach Tree, a few distinct steps must be followed in order to obtain a nice looking tree and to reap a full and healthy crop of delicious juicy Peaches.
Always remember....
A) That when it comes to Peaches only new growth will bear fruit. Always prune with this in mind.
B) and the more sun the total tree gets the more fruit it will bear.
C) Decided if you are pruning for the fruit production or for the aesthetic value of your tree. If pruning the tree for the aesthetic value then prune to the desired shape. You may prune new growth or old. Peach trees should be trimmed a few times throughout the year.
If pruning for the fruit production then follow these few easy steps.
When your tree is newly planted wait until late fall and cut it off approximately 12 to 14 inches above the ground. I know that this is a scary step but believe me it works. In the spring, you will see a number of new branches shooting off in all directions. Choose three or four good strong shoots that are located evenly around the tree. Prune off all others. From these three or four branches, a number of new shoots will sprout forth in the next few weeks. Choose a number of them that tend to grow straight up or at least at a slight outward angle. Trim the rest off. You do not want a great number of these up ward growths. two or three at the most from each of the main three or four branches. (Note) Sometimes a tree will not produce branches evenly at first. If this is the case, find two branches directly across from each other. Trim all the rest off. Soon a second set will form just above or below the first set and on the opposite two sides of the tree. Continue as stated above.
As you tree matures it may produce fruit the first year. I personally prefer to remove these early fruits. The tree will spend it energy on producing stronger branches instead of fruit. This will pay off nicely in years to come.
As fall approaches again you must now trim with a cautious eye. Trim your tree so that come spring it will produce a large number of new growth branches. The center of your Peach Tree should have a funnel shape to it. This allows an abundance of sunlight to filter down into the center of your tree. Do not be afraid to cut branches back. The more you cut back now the more new growth you will have in the spring. Just do not go crazy and debranch the complete tree. Prune your tree once a year. (Usually early in the spring)
That is all there is to it. Enjoy your tree and enjoy its fruit!
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