When you're ready to get started, use sharp shears or a pruning saw to remove branches that grow downward or in toward the center of the tree. Thanks for any further advise that you can give me on raising these trees correctly for GOOD fruit… Growers with large crops should not prune earlier than necessary. For more information see General Pruning Techniques: FEBRUARY; Fruit Trees: apple, pear, plum, cherry, peach & nectarine: Prune annually for best fruit production. The peach tree will bloom soon after pruning when chilling is satisfied and warm weather follows. Pruning peach trees during bloom or shortly after bloom is not ideal, but it will not adversely affect the growth of the tree or the fruit.

Peach Tree in Sinai Egypt image by Rafik Elmlansy from Fotolia.com Peach trees grown in Texas require a dedicated plan of moderate, annual pruning. CORVALLIS, Ore. - You can prune an apple tree any time of the year without hurting it, but late winter, just before spring, is probably best. They can cause damage to trees if you use them when the temperature drops below 40 degrees F. (4 C.), so check the weather for the next week before using these oils. Fertilizing the peach tree. Pruning Peach Trees. Pruning may vary slightly depending on the specific objectives and capabilities of individual peach producers, but the following guidelines can be followed to develop low, spreading, open-center trees. If left unpruned, peach trees weaken, may become diseased, and bear less fruit year after year. Since the trees produce fruit on young, 2-year-old wood, the older wood must constantly be removed to make way for the new. You should fertilize your young trees with a fertilizer that contains nitrogen like a pound of 10-10-10 or an equivalent after it has been planted for 6 weeks. The worst of the cold weather is past, so you won't be subjecting the fresh cuts to severe icing, but you'll still be able to influence the tree's spring growth. You should plant the trees in the spring so that it will be well established by winter. You need to make thinning cuts and heading cuts—to keep the center of the tree open … Peach pruning should NOT be avoided. No; any tree can be pruned while it's in flower and you'll get those same benefits, he replied. Pruning in Texas should occur at least by February, just prior to bloom … Summer topping, by mowing the tops or sides of the trees, is used by some growers to reduce pruning costs and maintain tree size. Pruning at Planting. For light pruning of bleeder trees (See July). Make cuts using the Branch Collar Method of pruning.

Pruning is a very important part of proper peach tree care and maintenance; however, many people think the task overwhelming or too complicated. This is my first experience with fruit trees, peach trees in particular. Peaches bloom and bear fruit on second-year wood; therefore, the trees need to make good growth each spring and summer to insure a crop for the next year. Most fruit trees only need dormant oils applied about every five years, unless there is a large infestation problem in the area. Keep these things in mind: Have confidence in knowing that not everyone will prune … It doesn’t have to be! It is better to prune a little late than too early.