Peach pruning: how to prune and when

Meaning and functions

Peach is a capricious and whimsical culture that needs special climatic conditions and care. Peach pruning is carried out not only to prolong the fruiting period and increase yields, but also increases its resistance to adverse climatic conditions.

The way the tree crown is formed directly affects the winter hardiness of the plant. Therefore, for different regions it is recommended to form a crown in different ways. “Spindle” is suitable for the mild climate of Cherkessk or Makhachkala, but for the Krasnodar Territory this method is not suitable, in this case it is better to cut the tree with a “bowl”.

For the climatic conditions of the middle zone, the bushy form is the best option, and for even more severe and unfavorable conditions, the plant is laid with a slab. In addition to the forming function, pruning also performs the following functions: regulating, restorative, rejuvenating and sanitary.

The time of year that is chosen for the procedure also depends on the purpose of pruning. Pruning begins from the second year after planting, when the plant is fully opened, it has several side shoots. From these shoots, the formation of future skeletal branches begins.

Video “How to cut a peach”

In this video, a specialist will tell you how to properly prune a peach tree.

Features of the procedure

Peach pruning is required not only in spring and autumn, but also in summer. In each season, the procedure performs its tasks.

In spring and summer

Spring time is optimal for rejuvenating a tree, removing frozen and damaged shoots and forming a peach crown. In the summer season, dry branches unnoticed in spring are removed, and weak fruitful branches are shortened. At the same time, sanitary pruning is carried out.

In the spring, pruning is carried out in this way:

1. Measure the height of the trunk and determine the main skeletal branches. The branches should grow at a large angle to the conductor and be directed in different directions.
2. Shorten the branches of the skeleton by two kidneys.
3. Cut the conductor over the upper side branch and remove the excess shoots on the ring.
4. Remove dead and broken branches.
5. In order to rejuvenate, you can cut off shoots older than 4 years.

Summer pruning is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. Inspect the peach for dead branches and remove them.
2. New growths are regulated: vertically growing or turned inward are removed, the rest are pinched.
3. They shorten weak fruitful shoots that have tied many fruits, and thin out the ovaries.
4. Remove diseased shoots.

In the autumn

Autumn pruning serves for sanitary purposes: diseased shoots and branches broken off by the crop are removed.

The scheme of the procedure before wintering is as follows:

1. Remove dry, diseased and broken branches.
2. Shorten long and thin branches that have not had time to mature.
3. Cut out rootstock.

Pruning varieties

The growth and development of a tree depends on the right time and pruning scheme. Each type of pruning performs many functions to keep the peach in optimal fruitful condition.

Formative

If the crown of the tree is formed naturally, then thickening and premature death of the shoots cannot be avoided. The branches begin to grow in the wrong direction, which can provoke various diseases and damage to the plant. That is why you should not waste time and you need to start forming the crown already in the second year after planting. The shape of the crown is selected according to several criteria: climatic conditions, place of cultivation and location features.

Rejuvenating

It is carried out when the shoots, buds or color show clear signs of frostbite. Therefore, the process of removing old and frostbitten shoots will not harm the tree. Depending on growing conditions, anti-aging pruning begins at 6–8 years. Skeletal branches are cut into young (two- or three-year-old) wood with transfer to the outer branch. Pruning will provide good ventilation and access to light. In the future, 10 years of age is selected for rejuvenation.

Restorative

Due to various factors, the development of a tree can be disturbed from one or more sides (suppression by another tree or building). First you need to eliminate the interference, if possible, otherwise the procedure will not make sense. Then you should correct or remove small, crossed, dead, improperly growing shoots. Low-growing long branches should be supported or cut so that they do not split the trunk. All this must be done intermittently so that the peach can recover.

Regulatory

It is carried out in spring or autumn, suitable for a tree of any age, even young plants. Branches with a large number of shoots and ovaries are removed. This prevents damage to the tree and improves fruiting.

Basic formation schemes

There are several patterns of formation: cup-shaped, columnar, bushy. Most often, experienced gardeners choose the first two. The cupped shape is made by trimming from smaller to larger. The lower branches are left more, and from the middle to the top they are shortened and form a line. At the same time, the length of the shoots is leveled and thickening is eliminated. The columnar form is formed as follows: at the base of the trunk, up to four shoots are left on each tier. If necessary, pinch the shoots.

Further Care

It is important not only to trim the peach tree correctly, but also to provide it with proper care after the procedure. So that the infection does not get into the places of the cuts, and they drag on faster, they need to be covered with garden pitch. It is recommended to do this a day after trimming to form a protective film. Next, you need to monitor the regular moistening of the tree and the appearance of parasites.

Parasites or infections should be dealt with immediately so that they do not have time to significantly undermine the immunity of the peach.

Thematic video tutorials from experienced gardeners will also help to understand the features of pruning.