If you've been growing fruit trees for a while, you probably know that a peach tree is the least demanding. It doesn't require much maintenance and the fruits ripen early in the season. However, this doesn't mean that you should leave it at that.
Peach trees need to be pruned properly so that they are healthier and produce more fruit. If you are a beginner, here is your complete guide on how to properly prune peach trees.
1. When should you prune?
Knowing when to prune is the first step in getting it right. Remember, pruning should not be done when they are inactive. If you prune them in cold weather, they are also prone to disease. You should prune peach trees every year when the buds are swollen enough that you can see pink. When it comes to a peach tree, it is always better to prune a little later than early.
2. Remove sick, damaged and dead branches
Trimming should always start with removing these 3 Ds. You can use a pruning saw to remove any branches that are in such a condition. Make sure to sanitize your tools when moving from branch to branch. That way you can keep the tools clean and disease won't spread from one branch to another. You can also use long-handled scissors to remove these twigs.
3. Trim
The next step is to cut branches that are too tall. This is because you want to keep the tree at a height where it will bring the best harvest. To achieve proper trimming, you can cut the ends of these branches with scissors.
4. Keep primary branches
You need to keep a few main branches. As a general rule of thumb, choose at least four to five main branches that grow up the outside of the tree. After that, you can use secateurs to remove large twigs that will compete with the power grid. You need to pay attention to the center of the tree or branches that grow horizontally or downwards. That's because you need to create a V shape with an open center.
5. Prune spindle-shaped branches
Prune any spindle-shaped and small branches that grow inward from the main branches. Meanwhile, you will also need to remove shoots that are pointing down or up. That's because these shoots prevent the peach tree from growing in a V shape. When you are done pruning, make sure to clean all of your tools and the surrounding area to keep everything clean.
last words
These are the five essential steps you need to take while pruning peach trees. If you still don't get the V shape you want, you can always contact the OC Tree Service experts. They will walk you through the whole process and make sure your peach trees are properly pruned. After all, a good harvest is one of the best things to get from a fruit tree.
