How to Prune an Old, Neglected, Out of Control Fruit Tree in Early Spring - Gurney's Video

[mikedavis5671]

Hello. I was looking for the follow up video on this tree and cannot fing it. What is it tilted please?

[AkimboJoe]

So where's the follow up Felix? I've got a tree that looks EXACTLY like the tree you started with and I'm curious how it all turns out.

Also, I'm a Felix too :-D

[mhpreach]

I moved into an old Farm House with a Peach Tree I would guess is 15 or 20 years old. Probably 25 ft. tall. So bad some branches broke off. I took an 8ft. ladder to reach and with a chain saw cut off the limb that was broke. How about pruning one of those trees! About three times as big as this Old one here.

[arkansastrash320]

I have a question !say my peach tree is the same size as yours in the video and and i am happy with the height of it meaning i will use a laddder.Question can i prune it back without taking it down as much as you did and still help it.Maybe taking out all pecil sized wood and opening up the center.Cause i don't mind the fruit being up high cause i want as much as the tree can produce and still be healthy!Thanks paul .P.S i am just planting a new tree so i don't have a tall one yet !!

[joyfulparadise]

Hi thanks for your response. I pruned my plum tree in mid february which i learned should have been done in the fall. It was kind of like the tree in your video that was neglected with shoots going way high. Your video gave me confidence to cut it WAY down to size so i can reach the fruits. When i stepped back to see the aftermath, it was DRASTIC. Please tell me i didnt destroy my plum tree. Can i email u a picture of the tree for u to determine if I messed up? I have a felling i wont get fruit

[sajimo03]

ready for the updated video!!! I have a Freestone Tree that is as tall as that one WAS! Im just scared to chop it up. that and loosing all the fruit for a year makes me sad. I cant wait to see how much it grew. Will you be posting a link to the new video?

[FelixGurneys]

@sajimo03 The "next step" pruning can be seen here: A Quick Guide to Summer Pruning - Gurney's Video

This summer pruning is done on the same tree mid summer following the video above. We hope to cover a video this spring so you all can see the tree, one year after. - Felix

[bbroome62]

@ GurneysSeed,

Can a chainsaw be used to prune the larger branches.

Great videos

Thanks

[FelixGurneys]

@bbroome62 Sure, if you are comfortable and capable of using one it is not a problem. If you have a lot of trees to do it sure speeds things up. A nice sharp hand saw designed for pruning does make pretty quick work of peach wood and normally it is a bit cool during the dormant pruning season so the activity keeps you warm. :)

-Felix

[joyfulparadise]

Well i procrastinated and procrastinated and am pruning my fruit trees right now. Is it too late? I live in the bay area, northern cali.

[FelixGurneys]

@joyfulparadise Better late than never for the most part but when doing such a significant renovation it is best to do your pruning prior to bud break or very shortly after. If your tree is in full leaf taking so much out can shock the tree and set it back a bit. If you are still ahead of flowering I would go ahead and prune.  Keep in mind I'm talking about peaches and other stone fruit here not Apples or Pears.

[79Testo]

must be real close to the freeway, I can hear the traffic

[79Testo]

what kind of rootstock is this tree and how old?

[FelixGurneys]

@79Testo This 'Flat Wonderful' Peach tree is on Lovell rootstock and at the time of this video it is 6 years old.

Felix

[hindflight]

One Question. Do you do anything to the stubs to prevent peach borers from moving into the exposed wood area and feeding on sap?

[FelixGurneys]

@hindflight We use a spray program that kills the adult moths before they have a chance to lay their eggs. The larvae from the hatched eggs of the lesser peach tree borer are what can cause some damage to the upper part of the trunk. There are frankly not many good home gardener controls labeled for either the major (the one that lays its eggs near at the soil line) or lessor peach tree borer. There are some controls that can work if you think a bit on how to repel moths.

[iluvator65]

Thanks for posting this video. We have a bing cherry that got away from us its 30 feet tall and fifteen years old. The birds enjoy but, alas, we do not. There are laterals at 8 to 10 feet that I would keep. Will it really survive the loss of 2/3 of its canopy? Please say yes!

[FelixGurneys]

@iluvator65 It will survive provided you prune it in late winter while it is still dormant. From your description of the tree that doesn't mean that it is going to look pretty especially not right away. What will happen is that you will get a tremendous amount of vigorous shoot growth in early spring. I would try some early summer pruning to help manage this new growth and form the tree structure you really want.

[ocolon45]

thanks so much. I have 2 plum trees and a peach tree and I lost my crop this year because I did not know how to take care of them(just bought the house), let alone pruning. Right now, I am going to arm myself with prunning tool and it will be done...

[joyfulparadise]

Thank u so much. I feel more confident about pruning my fruit trees. Never done it before bc i was afraid of hurting or killing my tree but it appears from ur video that the opposite is true. Gonna give it a try this year and see what my tree yields next year.