Peach Tree Out of Control

Question

A peach tree that has never been pruned, other than large branches breaking from weight of fruit (last year) has grown wild for at least 8 years now and spans way above and beyond a normal fruit bearing tree. I am completely ignorant of the care and process of a fruit tree. Last year it bore so many peaches (nothing edible due to bugs) I bagged and threw out what seems like tons of peaches. I thought it would not bear fruit again this year, but again, mistaken. The inner branches of the tree are dead. All leaves and fruit at the end of branches. What is my best option now? I would really appreciate an experts opinion, as I need to do something very soon.

Answer 1

Well, you need to do some cleanup pruning. Prune out what is dead and any weak branches, especially if they are crossing other branches. Once the clean up pruning is done, if you have any fruit left on this tree this year, you need to thin it out. This article will help with that: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-thinning.htm In the future, you will want to consider spraying the tree. This article has more on that: https://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6010-7