Several years ago my husband had a seasoned farmer say to him, "I bet you don't get many peaches off of that tree." He was right. The tree was around six years old and had produced a very small crop about three years ago, but that was it.
The gentleman went on to say that the tree needed a good pruning. "The old adage is that you should be able to throw a cat through the tree without it being able to grab onto the branches," was his counsel. That sounded pretty agressive, but it started the process which led to investigation, which led to pruning. Last spring we had more peaches than we knew were possible.
I photographed a recent peach tree pruning in order to show the basics and general steps of pruning. I would recommend that anyone getting ready to prune their tree reference sections such as the one on tree pruning at the Virginia Cooperative Extension site.
Why prune a tree? These are the reasons listed on the extension web site:
- to develop a strong framework for supporting crops
- to maintain a balance between vegetative growth and fruit production
- to maintain height and spread
- to maintain an open canopy for light penetration
- to remove broken and diseased limbs
- to maintain fruiting wood
- to adjust the crop load before the bloom
When do you prune a peach tree?
It is reported that doing so during or shortly after the bloom will not adversely affect the growth of the tree or the fruit. Their recommendation is February.
It is reported that doing so during or shortly after the bloom will not adversely affect the growth of the tree or the fruit. Their recommendation is February.
Here are a few photographs which show the pruning progression:
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In summary, when pruned, old dead branches and ones with bacteria which inhibit growth, come off. The removal of shoots which have sprung up in the wrong places and shoots which will not produce high quality fruit ensures for an abundant crop. This process also opens the canopy to allow for light penetration.
Creating a balance between the leaf and fruit production is vital. The leaves are critical for catching the light and converting it to energy. Pruning establishes the framework and longevity of the tree, giving it height and spread, with fruiting wood throughout.
As spring comes with flowering buds, new shoots, warmth, light, and promise, let us take lessons from the pruning process. Ask, are there dead and diseased branches in our life which need to be cut off? Have some shoots begun to grow in places which distract or extend in wrong directions? Is God's light shining in on our lives and granting life sustaining energy?
Is there a balance between personal, spiritual, and physical growth and the "fruits" of labor? When looking back on our lives is there evidence that we are growing into a strong, weightbearing, capable individual?
I will get back to you on the progress of this peach tree, but something tells me that this year it will yield a bumper crop! M
