How to Prune a Geogia Peach Tree
- 1). Prune the tree down to 30 inches after you plant it. Remove all the side branches, and leave just the trunk. This will keep the tree well shaped when it becomes established.
- 2). Cut off all dead and diseased branches after the first year of growth. Cut the limbs off at a slight angle and leave a small collar of tissue. Cutting the peach tree with a flush cut will slow down the healing process.
- 3). Prune off limbs that hang low during the second year, using pruning shears. Continue to remove diseased and damaged limbs to keep your Georgia peach tree healthy. The dead and diseased limbs will often appear dried out and gray in color.
- 4). Remove suckers that grow from the base of the tree trunk. The suckers will not produce fruit and they decrease the energy the tree needs to produce fruit.
- 5). Thin out the tree by removing crossing limbs. The crossing limbs can cause the peaches to rub against each other and spread diseases. Crossing limbs also prevent air and sunlight from circulating. Thin the crossing limbs when the tree becomes dormant after harvest.
