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Pruning and Training Peaches the Year of Planting
The open center training system is still the most popular in Pennsylvania. It is uniquely suited to peaches and many other stone fruits because of the location of flower and fruit buds on the tree. Peaches produce fruit on wood that grew the previous season. Therefore, the open center system, which relies heavily on heading cuts to encourage new growth, promotes the greatest fruit production under normal conditions.
To achieve maximum production when trees are mature, start training trees the year they are planted. Head trees back immediately after planting. The major scaffolds will then develop 6 to 12 inches below this cut. Scaffolds should be started as close to the ground as feasible. The lower the scaffolds originate, the easier it will be to limit ultimate tree height without sacrificing production. Scaffold branches present at planting can be retained if they are healthy and have a good crotch angle (45 to 60 degrees). Leave three to four equally spaced branches around the tree. On large-diameter trees these branches should be headed back approximately one-half their length.
An alternative training procedure can be used on poorly branched or small-diameter trees (those having a caliper less than 5/8 inch). At planting head the trees as before, but do not remove competing branches. Heading at planting will encourage three to four strong branches to grow directly below the cut. Traditionally these branches are trained into the main scaffolds. However, they are also the most vigorous and upward-growing. The result is that later in the life of the tree they must be severely "benched out" and often have narrow crotch angles.
In May to June, cut these vigorous upright branches in half to create a small bush in the center of the tree. Pruning temporarily stops their growth and dominance and directs energy into shoots lower down. These lower shoots quickly assume dominance and grow out and around the small bush in the center. Because of this small bush, the lower branches are forced to grow out at a wider angle.
If you wish to use this method, it is critical that trees not be stripped up to the top four shoots at planting or shortly thereafter. Instead, develop trees with seven to eight shoots early in the season, then cut the upper ones in half to force the lower branches. Remove the small bush the first winter.
Training in subsequent years is similar to that of the standard open center system. The main advantage is the creation of wide angle branches closer to the ground and able to support a greater fruit crop.