How to Prune a Peach Tree

Proper pruning is essential for plant growth. Pruning peaches can help the tree to produce larger and more fruit. That job is very simple and you will have a good digging.

Table of Contents

The Basics of Pruning

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Pruning peaches helps them grow. Pruning may sound counter-intuitive, but is actually extremely beneficial in supporting new growth of peach trees.

Pruning helps the tree to grow new branches, resulting in more fruit. Thus, pruning yields larger crops over time.
Peach trees need a lot of sun, so branches hidden in the shade won’t produce much fruit. Pruning them whole plants will open up more sunlight.
It is necessary to remove the dead part of the tree in order for new branches to grow.
If you’re going to be spraying a tree with pesticides, pruning helps the pesticide evenly cover the entire plant. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Know when to prune. The best time to prune peaches is early spring, after the last big cold of winter. Avoid pruning during cold weather, as this can reduce the tree’s tolerance to cold as well as fruit production.

The best month for pruning is usually February, but the timing can be adjusted depending on the weather in your area.
Prune older plants before younger ones to give them time for new growth.
Avoid pruning while the plant is flowering or right after the plant has flowered, because this can negatively affect new growth.
Prune the peach tree at planting time or the following spring (if planting in the fall).
In the same year, pruning a little late is better than a little early. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to Source}

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Select the pruning tool. There are many different pruning tools, each with a different purpose. Use pruning shears for small branches that are easy to handle, and if necessary use a saw to prune larger branches.

Various sized pruning shears are available on the market and are safer to use than saws. When possible, use them for your pruning.
Be careful when pruning with a saw not to carve them into other branches, as this will create conditions for bacteria and fungi to grow. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
You can bandage branches after pruning, but it has been shown to have little or no effect in preventing fungal growth. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to Source}

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Know how much to prune. When you’re pruning leaves, it’s best to follow the “cat throw” rule. All branches on a tree should be spaced wide enough for a cat to throw himself between them without hitting the branch.

The total height of the tree should be about 2.4 to 2.7 m when the tree is in the mature stage.
Begin by pruning the tree low to encourage the tree to grow wider around instead of taller.
For large, fruity trees, you should remove up to 90% of the growing fruit. A healthy tree will produce more fruit than they can bear, and most of the fruit will need to be removed to get the best crop. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Pruning Young Peach Trees

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Prune at planting. As noted above, it is important to start the tree’s growth in the right direction by pruning at planting. If you plant in the fall, wait a few months until next spring before pruning.

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Prune so that the lowest branch is 38 cm above the ground. The branch should not be taller than the trunk, because when the tree matures it will grow very tall.

The tallest branch should be about 76 cm above the ground. Prune branches that are too long for this number.
Ideally, all branches should grow at a 45-degree angle. If none of the branches approximate this measure, prune them all down to a single bud and wait for new growth. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Choose main branches in the summer. The main branch is the largest branch on the tree, starting from the trunk. To start, choose 2-3 main branches, but this number can go up to 4-6 over time.

The main branch should form a radial pattern from the trunk, each turning in a different direction.
The main branch will be the place to develop the secondary branches as the tree matures.

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Prune branches close to the trunk. You must cut branches close to the trunk, leaving only a small growth node to prevent branch rot.

Prune off branches, or cut at the base of the branches, in trees less than a year old.
Tops are used to remove parts of a branch, but not the entire branch. However, avoid doing this on young plants to prevent sucking root buds and false buds from growing near the top of the tree. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to Source}

Pruning Mature Peach Trees

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Remove all dead and sick plant parts. Any branches that are dead or infested with fungus or insects should be removed.

Cut off all the suckers, the ones that grow near the roots of the plant.
Take all the dried fruit from the previous year’s harvest.
Cut off any false buds that grow at the top of the tree. They are like suckers that grow at the ends of branches.

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Shape and shape the peach tree. This is the most important step in pruning, as it is concerned with the optimal shape and fruiting of the tree. You have to choose 4-6 main branches to shape, and cut off the rest.

All branches you cut should grow at a 45-degree angle. Any branches that grow horizontally or vertically should be removed, as they are likely to break as the tree begins to bear fruit.
Prune the tree in a V-pattern. All branches should have a “V” shape.
Cut off all the interwoven branches. Overwintering branches will create shade, which prevents the tree from receiving enough sunlight.
Remove branches whose branches grow beyond your head. This will make it difficult for you to pick the fruit.

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Prune the tree near the base of the branch. You must cut the plant at the same growth angle, about 0.6 cm from the side shoot.

Avoid cutting branches at an angle that is too steep or too close to the tree’s eye at the base of the branch, as this will cause the tree to rot.
For branches larger than 2.5 cm in diameter, cut three times. The first cut is to go up halfway from the underside. Then, cut from the top down about 2.5 cm more. The weight of the branch will help the branch break easily. Then make a final cut near the neck of the branch. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Go to Source}

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The tree should be open in the middle, with branches surrounding it like a donut or ring when viewed from above. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Advice

Never prune too much as this can reduce the tree’s fruit set and hinder its growth.
Perennial plants may need only moderate pruning by pruning away branches and tops so that the tree does not grow taller but wider.
Newly planted trees should not be pruned much.

Things You Need

Hands or pruning shears
Trimmer
Sharp tooth saw
Ladder

Steps

The Basics of Pruning

Pruning Young Peach Trees

Pruning Mature Peach Trees

Advice

Things You Need

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