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Re: young peach tree vs. gravity

On Fri 29 May, gypsey@ipa.net wrote:
> I planted a peach tree about two years ago. Today it's about six foot tall
> and developing peaches that are currently the size of fallen walnuts. Cool.
> So as the small branches bend due to the weight of the growing peaches,
> should I tie them with the leader for support, or instead let things alone
> thinking they'll build up strength in the branches? Well?.
> 
> -ceman 
I presume your tree is freestanding ie not trained against any support,
if it were then there would be no question that you would tie in the
branches for support. Peach trees are very prone to break branches under
the weight of crops and while it is nice to have first fruits you would
run a severe risk of damaging the structure of the branches for the
future. I would say support a few fruits where you can support their
branches and take the other fruits off as one has to take the long term
view.I doubt if the leader would be sufficiently strong. We had a few
fruit the second year, the third we picked 70, but suffered broken
branches and had to prune these out so we cut out everything that could
not be trained and put up a strong trellis. In the fourth year we got
about 70 again but we now have a well supported tree that can be managed
in future. By the way, the answer to peach leaf curl is to erect some
shelter system to keep the tree dry during the winter.

-- 
Allan Day Hereford HR2 7AU allan@crwys.demon.co.uk
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