avoided as this will delay the time v/hen the tree will start to produce a profit- 

 able crop. 



Pruning Bearing Trees 



Peaches are borne laterally on shoots that grew the previous year. Therefore, 

 the stimvilation of one year shoot growth by fertilization and pruning is essential 

 for maximum yields of fruit. Generally, on a vigorous one-year shoot three bxids 

 vd.ll be produced at each node. The two plump outside buds will be blossom buds and 

 the smaller bud in the --center will be a leaf bud. On less vigorous shoots there 

 may be but one fruit bud and a leaf bud at a node. 



There are several reasons for the annual pruning of a peach tree as follows; 



1, To eliminate weak shoots, 



2, To stimulate the growth of vigorous shoots. 



3, To keep the tree at a convenient height, 

 h» To admit light to the center of the tree, 



5, To permit effective use of spray materials, 



6, To partially thin the crop. 



In pruning a bearing tree the following branches should be removed: 



1, Those which are broken or diseased, 



2, Those which are slender and weak - especially on the inside of the 

 tree, 



3# Those which grow toward the center or straight up, 

 ht Those v/hich are grov/ing dovmv/ard so as to interfere vdth mowing or 

 cultivating equipment. 



After these branches are removed, it may be necessary to thin out moderately 

 a few of the more vigorous branches v/here they are too thick, 



"Leggy" branches (those which grow out for a considerable distance without 

 branching) may need to be headed back in order to induce the development of side 

 branches nearer the trunko 



Since the habit of growth of a peach tree tends to produce bearing wood further 

 and further from the trunk, it is desirable to encourage the development of some 

 young branches on the inner parts of the tree. These branches should be so located 

 as to subsequently replace older wood. 



In order to keep the tree at a convenient height, upright branches should be 

 headed back to an outward grov/ing lateral branch when they reach a distance of 

 approximately eight feet from the ground. 



Pruning Winter- Injured Trees 



Peach trees may suffer injury from low winter temperatures in two ways: 



1. By killing of the blossom buds, 



2, ^ killing of the wood. 



