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How to prune a poorly-pruned peach tree #829984

Asked May 14, 2023, 5:44 PM EDT

Good evening, I hope all is well on your end! I purchased and planted two peach trees last year. At the time, my goal was to get the roots to thrive and the trees just to grow. This past spring, I pruned as best as I then knew how among the smaller new growth branches, trimming them back by 50%. Nevertheless, I recently started reading the ag extension documents on proper pruning of peach trees (scaffolding, sub scaffolding) and realized one of the trees I purchased was grown with one large upright watersprout that I left in place not knowing any better (see attached photos) because it looked most like a non fruiting tree. My question is whether i should cut this most vigorous “trunk” to try to cultivate a new scaffold branch and, if so, when should I do it? If I need to do it, should I do it now or should I wait until next spring. There are a lot of peaches growing on it and I worry that after already pruning a whole contractor bag worth of leaves it would put a lot of stress on the tree to cut 33% of its leaves off and expose a one inch wide section.

District of Columbia County District of Columbia

Expert Response

Hi,
Water sprouts can be selected as scaffold branches. This tall, nearly vertical branch is subject to breakage from storms and fruit load.In this case, we suggest that you reduce the length of the circled branch by at least 1/3 to bring it back into proportion with the rest of the tree. Do not apply paint or a wound dressing to the pruning cut. 

After pruning, it would also be helpful to hang a weight on the branch so that it grows at a 45-60 degree angle to the trunk.
Jon

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