There are a few tips that make cutting nectarine trees easier and optimized. Anyone who follows these will sustainably support the he alth of the tree. Anyone who also uses the right tools will be rewarded with a good harvest and sun-ripened nectarines.
How to properly prune a nectarine tree?
When pruning a nectarine tree, you remove dead, old and broken wood, shorten strong fruit shoots slightly and weak fruit shoots heavily. The aim is an open crown and rejuvenation of the shoots for better growth, light transmission and optimal fruit harvest.
Why the right cut is important
The right time to prune the nectarine tree is in September, directly after the nectarines have been harvested. The aim of the cut is
- stimulating the growth of the nectarine tree
- ensuring that sufficient air and light penetrates the nectarine tree
- to boost the yield of fruits and
- to optimize the quality, ripeness and taste of the nectarines.
If a nectarine tree is not cut, fruit without taste will develop. As the branches age, they will also break off under the weight of the nectarines. For this reason, it is important to prune the nectarine tree heavily every year so that it has the chance to develop sufficiently young and, above all, viable shoots.
How to prune a nectarine tree?
Pruning begins by removing all dead, old and broken branches. The best fruits grow on the wood that grew the previous year, with the consequence that side shoots that have already borne fruit are only cut down to the replacement shoots. Strong fruit shoots with two flower buds are only slightly shortened, while weak fruit shoots are heavily cut.
When pruning nectarine trees, the following basic principle applies: strong pruning results in strong budding in the spring, while weak pruning results in comparatively weak budding. In this respect, the cut has a major influence on the subsequent harvest, which is only promising if the nectarine tree is cared for and cut accordingly every year.
It's all about the right tools
In order to cut a nectarine tree, sharp and high-quality tools should be used. Garden shears are sufficient for smaller pruning jobs, while larger branches can be cut off with pruning shears. Thicker branches, for example in the crown area, are removed with a pruning saw or an adjustable hacksaw. If there is moss, lichen or eggs from pests on the nectarine tree, brush them off with a wire brush.
Tips & Tricks
It is recommended to grow the nectarine tree as a bush tree because the bushes provide it with more protection from frost and precipitation. The goal is an open crown that is continuously rejuvenated through regular care and careful trimming.
