Let the Sunshine In

Apr 20, 2022

The biggest off-season, behind-the-curtains tasks we perform is pruning - cutting and removing branches from peach, apple and cherry trees. So, why am I out in the cold, windy, cloudy days pruning instead of sipping drinks at the beach. Questionable life choices! Actually pruning is critical to quality fruit production. Let’s talk about peach trees.

First we prune to keep trees in a desired shape. In the photos, you see a peach tree with four main scaffold limbs extending from the trunk. That’s the v-shape we want in a commercial peach tree. To maintain this tree structure, we remove branches that are growing in the wrong direction or in the wrong place, or are too long or too close to the ground.

🎵Let The Sunshine🎵 🎵Let The Sunshine In🎵 Everybody sing!🎵THE SUNSHINE IN!🎵 (If that doesn’t cause an earworm, just Google “Let the Sunshine In” by the 5th Dimension. You’re welcome.) With that now firmly stuck in your head for the rest of day, we want the v-shape so the tree’s canopy is like a big funnel open to the sky. We remove large interior branches to maintain an open canopy. This v-shaped, open canopy… wait for it, 🎵Lets The Sunshine In🎵! By now you have figured out that sunlight is important to our peach trees, mostly for photosynthesis (energy production) and good coloration of the peaches. The open center also allows air to move more freely through the branches, helping reduce disease pressure.

Lastly we remove branches to limit the amount of fruit the tree grows. Sounds counter-intuitive doesn’t it? A tree has a certain amount of energy to support its growing peaches. If that energy is spread across 1,000 peaches, golf-ball sized peaches result. By pruning we reduce the number by about 50% (see the after photo) - which allows the tree’s energy to focus on growing the beautiful peaches you expect.

This July, when you’re eating a big, juicy Countryside Orchard peach, remember we were out there during those cold, cold days pruning away. Hmm…I doubt you’ll remember; but…you’ll remember this! 🎵Let The Sunshine🎵 🎵Let The Sunshine In🎵🎵The Sunshine In🎵