Keep these things in mind: Have confidence in knowing that not everyone will prune … To prune a pear tree, wait until a dry winter day since pruning during the dormant season will encourage new growth during the spring. The peach tree will bloom soon after pruning when chilling is satisfied and warm weather follows. Elberta, Contender, Red Haven, one of each. Pruning is a very important part of proper peach tree care and maintenance; however, many people think the task overwhelming or too complicated. Growers with large crops should not prune earlier than necessary. 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. 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 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. Pruning Peach Trees.

Peach trees are pruned at planting to balance the tree top with the small root system and to induce branching on the trunk. Summer topping, by mowing the tops or sides of the trees, is used by some growers to reduce pruning costs and maintain tree size. This differs from other fruit trees that have one central trunk. Be sure that you are spacing your trees 15-20 feet apart. Thanks for any further advise that you can give me on raising these trees correctly for GOOD fruit… Make cuts using the Branch Collar Method of pruning. If left unpruned, peach trees weaken, may become diseased, and bear less fruit year after year. For light pruning of bleeder trees (See July). Growers with only a few trees can wait until ‘pink bud’ to prune. This is my first experience with fruit trees, peach trees in particular. Is it wise to prune the tree when it has fruit on it? You need to make thinning cuts and heading cuts—to keep the center of the tree open … 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. Pruning in Texas should occur at least by February, just prior to bloom … But he quickly added that peaches DO require the heaviest pruning of any fruit crop. Peach pruning should NOT be avoided. Fertilizing the peach tree. Pruning Peach Trees. No; any tree can be pruned while it's in flower and you'll get those same benefits, he replied. This is the time that they are full of fruit. Peach trees are pruned into an open "V" or vase shape, with three to five well-spaced main branches forming the vase. For more information see General Pruning Techniques: FEBRUARY; Fruit Trees: apple, pear, plum, cherry, peach & nectarine: Prune annually for best fruit production.

Since the trees produce fruit on young, 2-year-old wood, the older wood must constantly be removed to make way for the new. 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. You should plant the trees in the spring so that it will be well established by winter.