Most stone fruit trees can benefit from significant fruit thinning. Many people will prune branches for height control in the summer and for structure when dormant in the winter but with an old neglected tree cleaning up the structure of the tree will be of benefit any time.
If you decide not to hire a professional, here are. a couple of discussions on renovating neglected fruit trees: https://extension.psu.edu/home-gardening-pruning-to-renovate-old-fruit-trees https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2023/11/SP307-K.pdf By the way, some arborists are not experts in fruit tree pruning (they will manage tree pests and diseases with sprays) and may refer you to a specialist. On last note: pruning 20' tall trees can be dangerous. Rich On Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 5:16 PM Chris Coke <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello to any fruit-tree experts: > > We have some mature peach trees (about 15-20 ft tall) that have been > neglected and not pruned for a few years. The weight of the peaches this > year is really putting a strain on the branches, and I'm afraid they might > all buckle. Should I do anything to prevent that now? Like: thinning the > fruit, sacrificing some branches, bracing others, etc. Or should I just let > them fruit this year with whatever branch damage we might have, and do a > major pruning in the Fall? > > Any advice would be appreciated! And happy to send pictures as a follow up > if that would help. > > Chris > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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