Content

• Steps
• 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
• What do you need

For a peach tree to grow well, it is very important to know how to prune it. This will help you get a rich harvest and large fruits. It is very easy to learn how to prune a peach tree, and it will reward you with the tastiest and juiciest peaches.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: The Basics of Pruning

1. 1 Prune peach trees to help them grow better. At first glance, this may seem counterintuitive, but in fact, pruning is extremely beneficial for better growth of peach trees.
   • Pruning peach trees results in new growth, and a grown tree will yield more fruit.So over time, pruning helps to increase the yield.
   • Peach trees need to get enough sunlight as shaded branches produce less fruit. Pruning will allow all branches to have access to the light.
   • In order for new branches to grow, it is very important to trim off dead parts of the tree.
   • If you intend to spray a tree with pesticides, pruning will ensure that the entire tree is evenly covered.
2. 2 Prune your tree wisely. It is best to prune the peach tree in early spring, after the last bitter winter cold. But do not prune it during very cold weather, as this can reduce both the tree's cold resistance and the peach crop.
   • The best month for pruning is February, but you should be sure to consider the weather in your area.
   • Prune old trees first, then young trees to give them time to grow again.
   • Do not prune the tree when it has already bloomed or immediately after flowering, as this can negatively affect its future growth.
   • Prune the tree when planting or next spring (if planting in fall).
   • It is best to prune the tree later than before.
3. 3 Choose your cropping tools. For smaller branches that are easier to handle, use a pruner. Remove large branches with a delimber or pruning saw.
   • After pruning, you can treat the cuts with garden varnish or a similar product, but it has been found that this almost or even does not help against the growth of fungus.
4. 4 Know how tightly you should prune your branches. When pruning branches, it is best to follow the “tossing cat” rule. All branches on a peach tree should be spaced wide enough from each other so that you can throw the cat between them without hitting any of the branches.
   • A mature tree should be 240–270 centimeters tall.
   • Cut the young tree short enough so that it gives off side branches and does not stretch upward.
   • For large, tasty fruits, pick off about 90% of all set fruits. A healthy tree bears much more fruit than it can bear, so most of the fruit must be picked while still small so that all the strength and sap of the tree will go to the remaining fruit.

Method 2 of 3: Pruning a Young Peach Tree

1. 1 Prune the tree when planting. As already mentioned, it is important to correctly set the direction of growth by cutting off the tree when planting. If you are planting it in the fall, wait until spring with pruning.
2. 2 Prune the tree so that the lowest branch is about 40 centimeters from the ground. If the branches start much higher, the tree will grow too tall.
   • The topmost branch should be about 75 centimeters above the ground. Prune branches that are higher than this height.
   • Ideally, all branches should grow at a 45 degree angle. If there is not a single branch that grows at an angle close to this, prune all branches to one bud and let them grow again.
3. 3 In summer, select skeletal branches. Skeletal branches are the largest branches on a tree and grow directly from the trunk. To begin with, choose 2-3 such branches, but over time this number can grow up to 4-6 branches.
   • Skeletal branches should grow radially, all in different directions.
   • As the tree grows, side branches (smaller branches that grow outward) grow on the skeletal branches.
4. 4 Prune branches closer to the trunk. It is recommended to prune the branches near the trunk, leaving only a small ring to prevent the pruned branches from rotting.
   • On trees less than one year old, thin out, that is, cut off the branches at the very base.
   • Pruning is used to remove part of a branch, not the entire branch. Avoid this procedure on young trees to keep unwanted shoots out.

Method 3 of 3: Pruning a mature peach tree

1. 1 Cut off any dead or diseased branches. At any time of the year, you can delete:
   • dead and fungal branches;
   • root shoots;
   • shoots grown on the upper branches;
   • dried last year's fruits.
2. 2 Shape your peach tree. This is the most important step in pruning a tree, as further growth and fruiting depends on it. Pick 4-6 main branches, and you can trim the rest.
   • All branches should grow upward at a 45 degree angle. Branches that grow vertically or horizontally must be removed: there is a high probability that they will break under the weight of the fruit.
   • Prune the tree in a V-pattern. All branches must be arranged in a V.
   • Cut off branches that intersect with others and block out sunlight. The best shape for a peach tree is an open vase so that the tree gets the most of the sun.
   • Cut off the branches where the new shoots are growing vertically above your head. It will be difficult to pick fruit from such branches.
3. 3 Prune the branches at their base. Prune branches at the same growth angle, about 0.6 centimeters from the lateral bud.
   • Do not cut branches too steeply or too close to the base, as this will open up various infections.
   • For branches larger than 2.5 centimeters, use three cuts when pruning. Make the first cut approximately in the middle of the branch on the lower side. Then make one cut from the top, about 2.5 centimeters from the first cut. The branch itself will break easily under its own weight. Then make a third cut near the branch ring.

Tips

• Peach trees bear the most fruit on last year's branches, so don't prune them. During the dormant period, one-year-old branches can be distinguished by their reddish tint.
• A well-shaped mature tree needs only moderate thinning and pruning so that it does not grow too tall and dense. In addition, newly planted trees need very limited pruning.
• Never prune a peach tree too much, as this can impair fruiting and hinder the growth of the tree. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the crown.
• If you prune the peach tree correctly, it will produce more fruit. If you have more peaches than you can eat, use in cooking, or give away, you can freeze them for later. To find out how this is done, read the article How to Freeze Peaches.

Warnings

• If you are not a professional gardener, do not use a chain saw: you could damage the tree or seriously injure yourself.

What do you need

• Secateurs
• Lopper
• Trimming saw with fine teeth
• Stairs