Removing fruit from young trees

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PSU4ME
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Removing fruit from young trees

Post by PSU4ME » May 24th, 2017, 9:50 am

I have 2 peach trees that are starting to fruit. My trees were bought as 1 yo whips and this is the beginning of the second growing season with me (so they are about 2.5 years old). They are not very large and I thought that them growing fruit this early may not be a good idea. I'd prefer it to focus on size vs fruit at this point not to mention the weight of the fruit on the branch.

Does that sound reasonable? If i should remove them, should i do it now?

Thanks

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chrismar
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees

Post by chrismar » May 24th, 2017, 10:25 am

If this is their 2nd year in the ground I'd let a few fruit stay on the tree. Maybe just 2 or 3.

I have 3 apple trees and a nectarine tree. This is their 2nd year in the ground. Sadly no flowers or fruit on any of them. :(

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PSU4ME
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees

Post by PSU4ME » May 24th, 2017, 4:28 pm

I was surprised this year to see all the blooms and I think i have about 12-15 peaches on each tree starting. I've got a few branches on each tree i want to spread so might leave the fruit on them for a bit.


I hope they taste good!

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Re: Removing fruit from young trees

Post by g-man » May 24th, 2017, 6:13 pm

Remove some. Keep a 5 to 6 in spacing.

Read more here:
https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide ... es/pruning

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Re: Removing fruit from young trees

Post by dan10 » May 25th, 2017, 2:48 pm

Keep in mind the tree is young and unable to support many fruit at a young age.

Leaving one fruit on a branch is better the 4 on a branch. The 4 will not reach full size. Also, resources are being used up for developing the fruit while it can be used for a developing stronger root system for future years.

Also, too many fruit on a young branch can snap it.


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PSU4ME
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees

Post by PSU4ME » May 26th, 2017, 1:07 pm

g-man wrote:
May 24th, 2017, 6:13 pm
Remove some. Keep a 5 to 6 in spacing.

Read more here:
https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide ... es/pruning
Thanks g-man. I have been all through that site and its what got me thinking of removing the fruit. i'd like to know what others did in practice though. Sounds like removing a few is the way to go. I might try and leave one fruit ber branch about 1/2-2/3rd the way out to help with shape.

My apple trees didn't/don't show anything this year but i didn't expect them. I had to plant a cortland apple by my Liberty and Macintosh due to the bloom cycles so i'm thinking next year it should work.

I probably have 6-8" of new growth already and with this cool spring, i'm not going to argue. I'm spraying some copper fungicide this afternoon.

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Re: Removing fruit from young trees

Post by TimmyG » May 26th, 2017, 1:30 pm

In practice, you should thin fruits, unless you happen to know that your trees handle the job on their own naturally and reliably. g-man's reference is as good as any on the subject.

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