Prune back scaffold branches to one-third of their length. Leave some small branches on the lower trunk to encourage trunk strength. Maintain about 6 inches of height between the scaffold branches, keeping the lowest branch at least 18 inches from the ground. Choose branches that are evenly distributed around the trunk. First dormant season (a year after you plant the tree): Remove the central leader and direct the tree growth toward three or four strong scaffolds.An open-center structure keeps the tree’s canopy open to light, which is necessary for the development of good fruit and helps prevent brown rot, a notorious enemy of peach trees. Annual pruning is more critical for peaches (and nectarines) than for any other fruit tree type.Īlways prune peach trees to an “Open Center” shape. Stark Bro’s peach trees are pruned in the nursery row for proper shaping to get you started, but corrective pruning must continue at home. The natural shape a peach tree takes on is not always the best for its maximum fruit production. Shape and StructureĮqually as important to the benefits above, your peach tree needs to be pruned to provide a strongly structured shape. After a single growing season, a peach tree you prune will be bigger, and have stronger branching than a similar unpruned tree. In addition to the survival benefits, pruning a peach tree stimulates stronger, more vigorous growth from the remaining buds. A good reference book (we recommend Pruning Made Easy), is invaluable for providing additional visuals and in-depth answers to questions you may have about pruning. In Zone 6 and north, you should wait until late winter. Plan to prune your peach trees every year during their dormant season.

The only pruning necessary at planting time would be to remove any broken or damaged branches and roots. Because of this, you do not need to prune them again at planting time. When your bare-root peach tree arrives from Stark Bro’s, our professionals have already pre-pruned your tree for you. Pruning, in this instance, helps balance the top growth of your tree with the root system, giving the roots time to re-establish in your yard to support existing top growth and new growth. These hairlike, delicate roots are important to the process of absorbing moisture and nutrients in the soil. When your peach tree is dug up from our fields to be shipped to you (and any time a tree is transplanted) the root ball loses many of its fine feeder roots.

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