Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: The basics of pruning
• Method 2 of 3: Pruning a young peach tree
• Method 3 of 3: Pruning a mature peach tree
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Knowing how to prune a peach tree is crucial to the tree's growth. Pruning a peach tree can produce larger fruit and a bountiful harvest. It's easy and will ensure you get the juiciest crop of peaches ever.

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Method 1 of 3: The basics of pruning

1. Prune your peach trees to help them grow. Pruning may feel counterintuitive, but it is incredibly helpful to create new growth on peach trees.
   • Pruning peach trees creates new growth, which in turn will provide more fruit. Therefore, pruning leads to larger yields over time.
   • Peach trees should be in full sun, as shaded branches will not produce much fruit. By pruning them you can ensure that all branches are in the sun.
   • The removal of dead material is necessary so that new branches can develop.
   • If you plan to spray your tree with pesticides, pruning will ensure even distribution across the entire plant.
2. Know when to prune. The best time to prune peach trees is at the beginning of spring, after the last major winter cold. Avoid pruning in cold weather as this can reduce the tree's hardiness and overall fruit production.
   • The best month for pruning is usually February, but this depends on the local climate.
   • First prune older trees and then younger ones to give enough time for new growth.
   • Avoid pruning when the trees are in bloom or just after blooming as this can be bad for the new growth.
   • Prune your peach trees during planting or at the beginning of the following spring (if planted in the fall).
   • Better to prune a little too late in the year than too early.
3. Choose your pruning material. Use pruning shears for smaller, manageable branches. Remove larger branches with loppers or a pruning saw.
   • Wound dressings are available to apply to branches after pruning, but these have not proven to be of much use in preventing fungi.
4. Know how much you can prune. When cutting the branches it is good to keep the "cat rule" in mind. All the branches of the peach tree should be wide enough apart that a cat can be thrown through them without ever touching a branch.
   • A total height of 2.4 - 2.8 meters is recommended for an adult tree.
   • Prune the tree low first, so that you promote growth outward instead of upward growth.
   • For large, full fruit, you need to remove up to 90% of all growing fruit. A healthy tree will produce far more than it can support and therefore fruits must be removed to get the best possible harvest.

Method 2 of 3: Pruning a young peach tree

1. Prune during planting. As mentioned above, it is important to direct the growth of your peach tree in the right direction from the start when planting. If you are planting in the fall, wait several months before pruning until spring.
2. Prune so that the lowest branch is about 40 cm from the ground. You don't want the branches to start much higher on the trunk, or the tree will grow too big when it reaches maturity.
   • The largest branch should be about 75 cm from the ground in total. Trim branches that are too long to this height.
   • All branches should grow at a 45 degree angle at best. If not, trim all branches down to a single bud and wait for new growth.
3. Choose main branches in the summer. Main branches are the largest branches on the tree, starting at the trunk. To start, choose 2 to 3 main branches, but this number can increase to 4 or 6 over time.
   • Main branches should form a radial pattern from the trunk. Each main branch should point in a different direction.
   • Main branches will bear the lateral (smaller outward-growing) branches as the tree matures.
4. Prune branches close to the trunk. Cut the branches close to the trunk, leaving only a little bit of growth to prevent the branches from rotting.
   • For trees older than a year, make thinning cuts or cuts starting at the base of the branch.
   • You can also remove parts of branches instead of entire branches. However, do not do this with young trees to avoid unwanted shoots near the top of the tree.

Method 3 of 3: Pruning a mature peach tree

1. Remove any dead or unhealthy growth. You can remove the following growth all year round:
   • Dead or fungus infected branches
   • Shoots: The shoots that emerge near the roots of the tree
   • Water shoots growing from the top branches
   • Dried fruit from last year's harvest
2. Shape your peach tree. This is the most important step of pruning as it is responsible for the tree's eventual growth pattern and fruit production. Choose about 4-6 main branches to work with and cut off the rest.
   • Any branches you cut should grow at a 45 degree angle. Branches that grow vertically or horizontally should be removed as they are likely to break off when the tree begins to bear fruit.
   • Prune the tree in a V-shape pattern. All branches should look like the letter "V".
   • Cut off any branches that intersect, as these will block the sunlight. The best shape for a peach tree is an open vase with an open center so that sunlight is maximized.
   • Remove any branches with new growth growing above your head. The fruits of these branches will be difficult to harvest.
3. Prune a branch near the base of the branch. You should cut the tree at about the same angle, about 1/2-inch from the lateral bud.
   • Avoid cutting the branch at too great an angle or too close to the base, as this can lead to infection.
   • For branches more than an inch in diameter, make three cuts to make pruning easier. Make the first incision about half way down the branch at the bottom. Then make an incision at the top about an inch further. The weight of the branch will cause the branch to break off easily. Then make an incision near the base.

Tips

• Peach trees bear the most fruit on the previous year's branches, so you shouldn't prune trees with year-old wood. During the dormant season, this annual wood can be recognized by its red hue.
• Trees that are well established may sometimes require less pruning. Thinning out and keeping the foliage low may be enough. In addition, newly planted trees require little pruning.
• Never over-prune your peach trees as this can reduce fruit production and stop the tree from growing. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the tree's volume per pruning session.
• Proper pruning of peach trees can increase yields. If you end up with more peaches than you can eat, use them immediately or give them away. Consider freezing some for later. Read how to freeze peaches for more information.

Warnings

• Chainsaws are not recommended for home pruning people due to the high risk of damaging the tree or causing injury.

Necessities

• Manual or pruning shears
• Loppers
• Pruning saw with fine teeth
• Ladder