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azrael · 12th January 2008, 08:09 PM

I doubt this specimen will have enough space...are they 300 x 300 tiles?
Anyway, you DO need to prune it this year. The pruning that is done now will give the overall formative shape you desire...for the mature tree.
(In-laws used to have a commercial stone-fruit orchard, and worked there for prac. experience early in Hort career....planting, pruning, picking and packing)

I cannot see the graft on your spec, so I hope it is not buried. If it is then ... mmmmm...not good. Lets assume its just not clear in the photos.

Obviously the grey piece is the original planting...and the reddish stuff is this years growth.

First...low branches will be useless, all fruit that is produced on these branches (later) will be on the ground as soon as it's golf -ball size. So IMO they will be unfruitful...get rid of them...thats all the ones around the base.

In fact most new growth is too low, take off ALL the new growth... so that all there is left is the original plant.
Then, keeping the two(?) strong laterals, prune at about 600mm...(about knee height...unless you are a dwarf and then it would be at at waist height).
Then you should stake it straight ... cause it needs it.
There will be NO fruit this year...peaches fruit on previous seasons wood..which will be removed.

You want a strong vigorous tree for the best fruit production...that is what you need to do.

Good luck with the peaches...I was never able to beat the fruit-fly here on the Aust. east coast...and pulled mine out after 4 years. Heaps of fruit...but un-useable.

Also for later on (next year and trherafter), IF you get sporadic late frosts (at bud burst), then fruit wont develop...you may need to protect it at night from frost.

Please speak up anyone who does not agree. This prune will be critical for the overall future shape of this tree.

12th January 2008, 08:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
azrael Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Earth Australia Posts: 319	Re: Peach prune! I doubt this specimen will have enough space...are they 300 x 300 tiles? Anyway, you DO need to prune it this year. The pruning that is done now will give the overall formative shape you desire...for the mature tree. (In-laws used to have a commercial stone-fruit orchard, and worked there for prac. experience early in Hort career....planting, pruning, picking and packing) I cannot see the graft on your spec, so I hope it is not buried. If it is then ... mmmmm...not good. Lets assume its just not clear in the photos. Obviously the grey piece is the original planting...and the reddish stuff is this years growth. First...low branches will be useless, all fruit that is produced on these branches (later) will be on the ground as soon as it's golf -ball size. So IMO they will be unfruitful...get rid of them...thats all the ones around the base. In fact most new growth is too low, take off ALL the new growth... so that all there is left is the original plant. Then, keeping the two(?) strong laterals, prune at about 600mm...(about knee height...unless you are a dwarf and then it would be at at waist height). Then you should stake it straight ... cause it needs it. There will be NO fruit this year...peaches fruit on previous seasons wood..which will be removed. You want a strong vigorous tree for the best fruit production...that is what you need to do. Good luck with the peaches...I was never able to beat the fruit-fly here on the Aust. east coast...and pulled mine out after 4 years. Heaps of fruit...but un-useable. Also for later on (next year and trherafter), IF you get sporadic late frosts (at bud burst), then fruit wont develop...you may need to protect it at night from frost. Please speak up anyone who does not agree. This prune will be critical for the overall future shape of this tree.