Canterbury
April
Q.
Hi, how and when should I prune my apricot, nectarine & peach trees?
Alister Scott
A.
Hi Alister, they are best pruned in late summer after fruiting has finished, however it can be done in early-mid autumn if necessary. If you do prune in autumn protect cut wounds with a water based paint or pruning paint to seal the wound and prevent disease entering. These fruits don’t need pruning every season, and it’s important not to prune in winter as it can spread the spores of silver leaf, which is these stone fruits are prone to.
For all three fruit trees create an open vase shape with 4-6 main branches to ensure fruit is ripened. Prune to an outward facing bud, sloping cut to remove spindly, dead, dying and diseased wood. Fruit is formed on last year’s growth so don’t remove the whole branch, remove any vertical branches as these will be hard to pick the fruit from. Try and keep the tree low and open, about 6-7 feet high.
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How and when to prune apricot, nectarine & peach trees? Comments
I have a dwarf peach tree that was planted last spring last and has produced some nice fruit. When can I pick them or do I let them drop off and when do I prune it? Thank you for your advice when I need it.
Frank Shelley
Lianne
Hi Frank, the fruit is ready to pick when it is showing colour and gives slightly in your hand when you hold the fruit. You will need to beat the birds and so may want to pick the fruit as it starts showing colour as it will continue to ripen once picked. Prune stone fruit in summer once the fruit has been picked. Pruning in summer prevent trees being infected with a disease called silver leaf. With dwarf fruit trees all you will want to do is try and open up the canopy to improve air circulation to prevent disease and to help ripen fruit. As the tree is only one year established all you will be doing is establishing a frame work.