How to prune peach trees

Peach tree pruning time

Peach trees are generally pruned during the seedling stage, the growing season, after the flowering season, and the dormant period. During the seedling stage, the main pruning is topping the trees, while during the growing and dormant periods, it is necessary to cut off weak branches that grow too vigorously or poorly. After the flowering period, the main pruning is to trim the withered flowers.

Pruning peach trees during the seedling stage can inhibit their growth rate and sprout more side branches, which is also extremely beneficial for fruiting. Pruning during the growing period and after the flowering period can reduce excessive consumption of nutrients and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests.

Peach tree pruning method

1. Pruning during the seedling stage

When peach trees are in the seedling stage, they need to be properly pinched and pruned, mainly to cut off the tender buds and leaves at the top of the seedlings. This can inhibit the growth rate of the main trunk and sprout more side branches, so pinching needs to be done several times during the seedling stage.

2. Pruning during the growing season

During the growing season, it is necessary to prune the poorly growing or overly dense branches of the peach tree. This can reduce excessive consumption of nutrients and concentrate the nutrients on flowering and fruiting.

3. Pruning after flowering

Pruning of peach trees after flowering usually takes place around March or April each year. At this time, the withered flower buds need to be cut off to store nutrients for future results, and some poorly growing branches can also be pruned.

4. Pruning during dormancy

During the dormant period, the growth rate of peach trees is relatively slow, so some branches affected by diseases and insect pests need to be cut off. This can prevent the bacteria from infecting other branches, and the plants can grow better in the second year.