Pruning Peach Trees. Most fruit trees only need dormant oils applied about every five years, unless there is a large infestation problem in the area.

Your peach trees will be healthier, more productive, and easier to work with if you set up an annual pruning routine.

Peach Tree in Sinai Egypt image by Rafik Elmlansy from Fotolia.com Peach trees grown in Texas require a dedicated plan of moderate, annual pruning. Fertilizing the peach tree. 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.

For light pruning of bleeder trees (See July). This differs from other fruit trees that have one central trunk. Pruning Peach Trees.

But he quickly added that peaches DO require the heaviest pruning of any fruit crop. Is it wise to prune the tree when it has fruit on it? If left unpruned, peach trees weaken, may become diseased, and bear less fruit year after year.

Since the trees produce fruit on young, 2-year-old wood, the older wood must constantly be removed to make way for the new. Growers with large crops should not prune earlier than necessary. Growers with only a few trees can wait until ‘pink bud’ to prune. 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 need to make thinning cuts and heading cuts—to keep the center of the tree open … Make cuts using the Branch Collar Method of pruning. No; any tree can be pruned while it's in flower and you'll get those same benefits, he replied. Peach pruning should NOT be avoided. Pruning may vary slightly depending on the specific objectives and capabilities of individual peach producers, but the following guidelines can be followed to develop low, spreading, open-center trees.

Keep these things in mind: Have confidence in knowing that not everyone will prune … 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.

To prune a pear tree, wait until a dry winter day since pruning during the dormant season will encourage new growth during the spring.

This is my first experience with fruit trees, peach trees in particular.

Pruning at Planting.

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. The peach tree will bloom soon after pruning when chilling is satisfied and warm weather follows.

Pruning is a very important part of proper peach tree care and maintenance; however, many people think the task overwhelming or too complicated. Pruning peach trees during bloom or shortly after bloom is not ideal, but it will not adversely affect the growth of the tree or the fruit.

Thanks for any further advise that you can give me on raising these trees correctly for GOOD fruit… Peach trees are pruned at planting to balance the tree top with the small root system and to induce branching on the trunk. It doesn’t have to be! You should plant the trees in the spring so that it will be well established by winter.

Summer topping, by mowing the tops or sides of the trees, is used by some growers to reduce pruning costs and maintain tree size. Elberta, Contender, Red Haven, one of each.

It is better to prune a little late than too early. Pruning in Texas should occur at least by February, just prior to bloom …

This is the time that they are full of fruit.

Be sure that you are spacing your trees 15-20 feet apart. 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. They can cause damage to trees if you use them when the temperature drops below 40 degrees F. (4 C.), so check the weather for the next week before using these oils. 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.