Pruning

[djg james]

I planted last Spring two small, approximately 5' tall, Peach trees. I've had peach trees before, now at the end of their life, and I never pruned. They forked about two feet up from the ground and then in their later years, split. I don't want that to happen this time, so I thought I should prune them.
Tree #1:


Tree #2:


Where should I make the cuts? I'm thinking cut all the branches off the main branch below where the tag string is attached. I've got more photos if needed.
Thanks

 

[Mad Professor]

You don't want to save branches for limbs that are < ~60 degree angles to the trunk. Those will split.

You can put spreaders on very young branches to correct the angles as they grow.

 

[Seachaser]

One of the few trees where you do not want a central leader. Prune it like a menorah.

 

[farmer steve]

You don't want to save branches for limbs that are < ~60 degree angles to the trunk. Those will split.

You can put spreaders on very young branches to correct the angles as they grow.

View attachment 1151233View attachment 1151234View attachment 1151235

Very good illustrations MP.

 

[Mad Professor]

Very good illustrations MP.

I hocked those from the PDF reference I posted.

No wonder You like the pics, Fruit Production for the Home Gardener, a Comprehensive Guide, Penn State. !!!

Covers about all fruits grown in Northeast USA

 

[djg james]

You don't want to save branches for limbs that are < ~60 degree angles to the trunk. Those will split.

You can put spreaders on very young branches to correct the angles as they grow.

View attachment 1151233View attachment 1151234View attachment 1151235

As I said, I planted them last March/April (2023) and I did not prune then. So I guess I can prune now?

 

[farmer steve]

I hocked those from the PDF reference I posted.

No wonder You like the pics, Fruit Production for the Home Gardener, a Comprehensive Guide, Penn State. !!!

Covers about all fruits grown in Northeast USA

I was gonna post that info but you beat me to it. Penn state has a big fruit research facility about 20 minutes from me.
https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/frec

 

[farmer steve]

As I said, I planted them last March/April (2023) and I did not prune then. So I guess I can prune now?

Yes February and March is a good pruning time.

 

[Blue Oaks]

It's also the right time, at least around me to spray for peach leaf curl.

 

[Mad Professor]

I was gonna post that info but you beat me to it. Penn state has a big fruit research facility about 20 minutes from me.
https://agsci.psu.edu/research/centers-facilities/extension/frec

Cornell has a lot of good stuff too.

See Ref 1 pp.35-36 for peaches

Yes February and March is a good pruning time.

The Cornell ref says delay pruning peaches to help prevent spread of perennial canker. Suggests dry weather with temps > 60 oF (Refs 1 and 2 below)

Closest of to Me is Stockbridge School of Agriculture , which became Umass Amherst. They still have a great agricultural program and cooperative extension.


Here is some good links:

New England Tree Fruit Management Guide

 

[alanbaker]

I found this helpful from NC State


https://peaches.ces.ncsu.edu/peaches-movies/