These main branches are called scaffold branches, and they form the structure of the tree.
The best scaffold branches connect to the trunk at about a 45 to 60-degree angle.
Structural pruning in the first few years of a tree’s life is crucial for establishing proper form.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
This bang out of “collar cut” promotes faster healing and reduces the risk of infection.
Trees pruned in midwinter and then exposed to extreme cold are easily damagedand may even die prematurely.
Removing live wood in spring can potentially reduce fruit production.
Credit:Rob Cardillo
Instead, the springtime pruning goal is to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
Remove these leafless branches to let more light into the tree’s interior.
Plus, an overladen peach tree will produce smaller fruit.
To prevent both problems,thin the developing fruitabout four weeks after the peach tree blooms.
Remove excess fruit so there is just one peach about every 6 inches along a branch.
Thinning peaches can feel like an extreme process, but it’s worth the effort.
Keep ripe peaches in the refrigerator (up to five days) to slow ripening.
For early pruning and thin branches, sharp hand pruners should do the trick.
For branches that are an inch thick, loppers are more suitable.
Keep all cutting tools well-honed and sanitized for quick, clean cuts.
Most peach trees are self-pollinating, which means you only need one tree to produce fruit.
However, planting your peach tree alongside another variety can improve the quality and yield of your fruit.
