Q.Peach Tree
I have a peach tree that last year gave me 9 peaches with 5 surviving. This spring I have like 50 peaches and the tree is only 7 or 8 feet tall and not very spread out yet. I did NOT take off any lower branches. Should I take them off now or wait until they are dormant? And should I go ahead and pluck off the peaches that are on the smaller branches (like twigs), as I don’t think those branches (twigs) will support a full grown peach. Some have three on each little twig. Some are growing almost on the main ‘stalk’. Is that ok? The 5 I had last year were just perfect and sweet and I’m so proud of it. So what should I do to save most of my peaches? Thanks, Renee
PS: What do you think about cherry trees? If I plant a cherry tree now, would I get cherries for next year like I did the peaches? Thanks again.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
I would not prune at this time, but I would thin the peaches so that you get good quality friut. This article will help you with how to thin them:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-thinning.htm
This article will help with pruning:
http://wilkes.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/97/How%20to%20Prune%20Peach%20Trees-4.pdf
Pruning should be done while the tree is dormant.
As for the cherry tree, I cannot guarantee that you would get fruit next year. Most fruit trees need 3-6 years to reach fruiting maturity, so even if you bought a 3 year old tree, there is no way to know if it would fruit next year.
