Farm Scene for the Salisbury Post
Darrell Blackwelder
March 18, 2003

   Bad weather over the past few weeks has delayed tree pruning for those with fruit trees. It is still not too late to prune, even though buds are beginning to swell. This is cause for some concern, but swelling buds will not hamper fruit production.
    Annual pruning is an important part of fruit production. Regular pruning maintains shape, health, and productivity of mature trees. Regular maintenance pruning to remove dead or diseased wood or wood that is growing in awkward directions is also very important. Properly pruned fruit trees make a big difference between large, annual crops of excellent fruit and spotty, intermittent crops of variable quality. We want fruit trees to bear lots of large fruits therefore pruning correctly to develop a strong branch system capable of withstanding the annual load of ripe fruit depends on how trees are pruned.
    Apples and pears should be pruned to form a central leader. A central leader system of pruning gives these trees the ability to hold heavy fruit loads. Pruning to one main or central trunk encourages the growth of strong side branches. Remove branches growing from the trunk to maintain open space between limbs, and also thin the secondary branches that grow from these limbs. Trees must be constantly pruned to allow sunlight and air to reach the center of the tree.
    The open center or the vase system allows plenty of light and air into the center of the tree. However, it produces weaker branches and is not recommended for apples and pears. This type of system is best suited to plums, cherries, peaches and nectarines.
    Peaches are very vigorous and need regular, careful pruning to produce consistently. They are also relatively short-lived (about 10-12 years), another reason pruning is so important, since annual, heavy pruning stimulates new, vigorous growth. Start early by training peach and cherry trees to an open-central growth habit. Left unpruned, branches will grow tall and upright. The best fruit forms at the top of the tree. Keep the limbs at a manageable height to aid in harvest and facilitate regular sprays necessary for fruit production.
Light is an important factor in fruit production. It takes about 50 leaves to produce one peach or apple. Correct pruning and thinning is essential high quality fruit production. It is a part of production that must be done an annual basis if trees.
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Cooperative Extension will conduct a Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, Saturday, March 22, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Willis Myers Farm on Ridge Road in Salisbury. The workshop is designed to show proper pruning techniques for peaches and apples. Other information on cultural and spraying practices will also be discussed. The location of the workshop is at 855 Ridge Road which is located off of Woodleaf Road and Highway 601 just outside of Salisbury.