Removing fruit from young trees
- PSU4ME
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Removing fruit from young trees
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
Does that sound reasonable? If i should remove them, should i do it now?
Thanks
- chrismar
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees
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.
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.
- PSU4ME
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees
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!
I hope they taste good!
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees
Remove some. Keep a 5 to 6 in spacing.
Read more here:
https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide ... es/pruning
Read more here:
https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide ... es/pruning
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees
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.
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.
- PSU4ME
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Re: Removing fruit from young trees
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.g-man wrote: ↑May 24th, 2017, 6:13 pmRemove some. Keep a 5 to 6 in spacing.
Read more here:
https://www.starkbros.com/growing-guide ... es/pruning
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
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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