The Influence of Summer Pruning Current-season Shoots on Growth, Floral Bud Development, and Winter Injury of Mature Peach Trees

Abstract

Current season shoots of 5-year-old ‘Redhaven’ peach trees were pruned in half on 1 July, 1 Aug., or both dates (50, 80 days after growth shoot initiation). Pruning reduced current season shoot length compared to unpruned shoots, but only 1 July pruning reduced current season shoot diameter, and increased lateral shoot growth. All pruning treatments reduced flower bud number proportional to shoot length removed; however, 1 Aug. pruning increased flower bud density per node. The previous summer season pruning did not influence the amount of winter injury on 1-year-old shoots after exposure to severe winter temperatures (-27.8°C). Summer pruning did not influence number of new shoots formed the following spring.