Pruning a peach tree: Instructions from the experts

Peaches can also be grown fruiting in cooler regions. However, pruning the peach tree is essential to successful cultivation.

The peach tree (Prunus persica) belongs to the stone fruits and is closely related to the cherry tree (sweet cherry: Prunus avium, sour cherry:Prunus cerasus) related. Even if you don't believe it at first, the peach can also be successfully grown in the somewhat warmer and not too frosty areas of the German-speaking region. As with almost all fruit trees, regular pruning of the peach can also contribute to improved he alth and increased fruit yields. Since peaches, like sour cherries, already bloom on one-year-old wood, they can be pruned more generously and thoughtlessly than other fruit trees. After the cut, enough wood is formed on which fruit can grow next year.

Peach tree: when to prune?

Just like with other fruit trees, in the case of the peach it is also advisable to carry out pruning measures in winter (January to April) or summer (end of June to beginning of August). Winter pruning early in the year has a positive effect on promoting growth and favors new growth. In moderation, this is particularly good for the peach, since it develops its flower buds, from which fruit then develops, especially on the young, fresh shoots (one-year-old wood). The summer pruning, on the other hand, slows down this favored growth somewhat and ensures that the shoots do not sprout in thousands and in all directions. From this point of view, a combination of summer and winter pruning can be optimal in order to achieve a balanced relationship between fruit development and shoot or leaf growth in the peach.

Pruning the peach tree correctly

The question of all questions when pruning a tree is, of course, which shoot should give way and which must remain. The decision for or against the shoot can be decisive for the suitable and ultimately promising growth form of the tree. The same applies to the peach. However, no general statement can be madeto be hit. The correct procedure depends above all on the age and the previous care that the tree has received.

Pruning young peach trees

It is best if editing is recorded right from the start. In the best case, the first cut is already carried out with the planting. With the so-called plant pruning, all side shoots are radically cut back to a maximum of five eyes each. The same thing happens to the main shoot, which should protrude higher than all other shoots after the cut. It is important to commit to a single shoot as the main shoot and not to let the tree develop a slingshot. In the following years, the so-called educational cuts follow. Here it is important to promote the branching of the tree, taking into account the optimal fruit set. Strong, he althy leading branches are identified and shortened at the shoot tip. Lateral shoots are sometimes completely removed or not cut at all. It is also advisable to trim some side shoots to encourage the growth of one-year-old wood.

When cutting the peach, however, there is one more special feature to consider. Two different types of shoots develop: real fruit shoots and false fruit shoots. The false fruit shoots also contain flower buds that can form fruit, but they throw them off immediately because they do not form enough leaf mass to be able to adequately care for the fruit. This is different with the real fruit shoots. Like a peach tree expert, you can safely distinguish real fruit shoots from false ones:

• False fruit shoots develop only single flower buds per node
• False fruit shoots have only one leaf bud at the tip of the shoot
• True fruit shoots form two flower buds next to each other on each node, which also frame a leaf bud (triplet buds)

False fruit shoots neither contribute to the supply of the tree, nor do they ensure an increase in fruit yield. In any case, they should be completely cut out of the tree.

Everything you need to know about pruning peach trees here in brief:

• Be sure to cut the plants generously
  • Prune back side shoots to a maximum of five eyes
  • Select a Main Stem
  • Leave the main shoot a little higher than the side shoots
• Carry out regular and generous pruning to promote the growth of fruitful, one-year-old wood
  • Determine guide branches
  • Shorten tip of control tab
  • Shorten side shoots, leave them or remove them completely (keyword: "real" and "fake" fruit wood)

Pruning Old Peach Trees

Older peach trees should also be pruned regularly so that the tree has a good balance between fruiting wood and older shoots on which little or no fruit is formed. As already learned for the training pruning of younger peach trees, it is also important here to distinguish between real and false fruit wood. In addition, the hierarchy between the main shoot, leading shoots and side shoots must be observed. Depending on the individual case, it may make sense to completely remove stronger leading branches if they take away too much light from the rest of the tree and become too dominant. It is important to observe the tree after the cut and to draw conclusions for the next cut from the cuts made.

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• Felco Secateurs: Top-of-the-line manual pruning shears, pruning shears, recommended for all types of pruning. In addition to plastic-coated handles, it has a precision adjustment system for the blade and anvil.
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• Gardena telescopic arm scissors: Practical secateurs for effortlessly cutting tall trees and dense bushes from the ground.

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Pruning Peach Pillar Tree

Peach trees in the form of columns do not need much space and can even be successfully cultivated in pots on the balcony with enough dedication. Under optimal conditions, they can boast of plentiful fruit yields. You can maintain or create a columnar growth form for your peach tree with the following pruning measures:

• Shorten the main shoot twice a year
• Shorten side shoots massively twice a year (up to max. 15 cm)
• Between real and false fruit shootsdistinguish

Cut Peach Trellis

Peach trellises are particularly useful for using the heat from house walls and thus promoting the growth of peaches. Above all, this requires a skillful and regular cut. Follow these steps when cutting peach espaliers:

• Peach trellis is best fanned out, i.e. two main shoots that branch off to the left and right at an angle of about 45°
• Determine some side shoots coming off the main shoot as leaders and train them to grow horizontally
• Leave suitable side shoots for fruit development every 15 to 20 cm from the main shoot
• Regularly shorten side shoots coming off the leader and promote the development of one-year-old wood
• Distinguish between real and false fruit shoots

Pruning Mini Peach Tree

Mini peach trees can even find a place on small balconies and terraces. But just because they don't grow that big naturally doesn't give you the freedom to cut the dwarf peach. Since mini peach trees do not differ from their larger siblings in the biology of blossom and fruit development and also bear fruit on the one-year-old wood, the pruning measures should be carried out in the same way. Depending on its condition and vigour, pruning in winter or summer is also a good idea for the mini peach tree.

You can find out everything about the peach tree - from planting to care - here.