When should peach trees be pruned? How to trim?

Pruning peach trees is an important measure to ensure their healthy growth and improve fruit quality. The correct pruning time and method are essential for the high yield and quality of peach trees. Let’s learn together about when to prune peach trees. How to trim?

1. Pruning period

Peach tree pruning is mainly divided into two periods: winter pruning and summer pruning.

1. Winter pruning

Winter pruning is usually done 15 days after the trees lose their leaves and before they sprout the next year. Taking into account the winter climatic conditions, it is recommended that pruning be done in early spring in the Yellow River Basin and north of China, while in early winter in the south. The main purpose of winter pruning is to select fruiting branches.

2. Summer pruning

Summer pruning is done flexibly as needed during the growing season, not just in summer.

2. Pruning method

1. Release (long release)

The method of releasing branches is to not prune the one-year-old branches and let them grow naturally. Suitable for long-tip pruning of peach trees, it helps to disperse nutrients and promote branching and flowering.

2. Shorten

Shortening is the process of cutting back part of an annual branch to enhance branching ability. Depending on the degree of short-cutting, it is divided into light short-cutting, medium short-cutting, heavy short-cutting and extremely heavy short-cutting.

3. Thinning (branch thinning)

Completely cut off the branches from the base to adjust the branch density and distribution and improve ventilation and light conditions.

4. Shrinkage

Prune the perennial branches that have produced fruits to regulate their growth and renew and rejuvenate them.

5. Bud removal and sprout removal

Remove any excess leggy shoots and competing shoots below the cut. Remove tender shoots promptly to reduce useless branches and save nutrients.

6. Pinching and pruning

During the growing season, remove or cut off the young and tender parts at the front of the new shoots to control elongation growth. Promote the germination and growth of secondary and tertiary branches, and transform vegetative growth into reproductive growth.

7. Take the branch (Pull the branch)

When the new shoots are semi-lignified, the upright branches will be twisted, which will hinder the transport of nutrients and promote flowering and fruiting.

In short, winter pruning of peach trees should take into account regional climatic conditions to avoid frost damage. Summer pruning should be flexible and carried out according to the growth conditions and needs of the peach tree. When pruning, be careful not to damage the wood to avoid affecting the health of the tree. After pruning, pay attention to wound protection to prevent the invasion of pathogens. Through reasonable pruning, the healthy growth of peach trees can be promoted and the quality and yield of the fruit can be improved.