Grove preparation: pruning to control tree size and promote fruiting.

Here we talk to you about grove management and orchard preparation. Now that harvesting is done with, we are focused on pruning and tree training to develop our orchard for success next year. Because we are in such tight spacing (approximately 9ft by 12ft), tree height and size control is absolutely essential. The beauty of these small manageable trees is the ability to use only handsaws, clippers and loppers, without getting chainsaws involved.

We try to generate something similar to an open vase tree training system, something similar to what is seen in commercial peach production. We keep our trees tight to allow young trees to fill their space and to keep our fruit clean. We also maintain our native hammock area for ecological health of our orchard, bees, wildlife, etc. This also helps with cold protection by breaking up the cold layer during radiation freezes, we will try to make a video on that this winter.

We also mulch our pruned branches in our orchard to introduce soil, organic matter, and build soil structure within our property. Please note that pruning method varies by cultivar; more vigorous varieties will require more intensive labor than ones that are less precocious, and so on. We hope this video helps with pruning of your trees!