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Re-train This Peach Tree?
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Posted by
achang89 Z6 (
My Page) on
Sat, Dec 13, 14 at 12:32
| This peach has been neglected for a couple of years. Deer is part to blame. The bark on the main trunk has been damaged, but the tree is still alive. But clearly this tree does not look nice in the landscape. I'm thinking to cut down the main trunk as low as a couple inches above the graft union. So I can remove all the damaged trunk and re-grow the tree. Is this too extreme? 
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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- Posted by fruitnut z7b-8a,4500ft SW TX (My Page) on
Sat, Dec 13, 14 at 12:58
| That's ugly all right. But if you cut it down that low it very well might not sprout from the scion. If you are a good grafter then cut scion wood from the top and use it the graft down low. Without protection from deer you might as well leave it alone. The new low top will just be damaged again. The current top can produce fruit above deer height. It will need some pruning and continue support but is an option. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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| Most of the fruit trees will be fenced in. But this tree will be probably left out. Deer would not bother the tree after it is staked. If I re-train the tree, it will be protected with things like drain pipe or wire cage. But I do not know if the grafted wood would send out new growth above the graft union. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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- Posted by fruitnut z7b-8a,4500ft SW TX (My Page) on
Sat, Dec 13, 14 at 13:56
| If cut down to near the graft union it will likely not sprout from the scion. It's more likely to sprout from the rootstock. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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| The trunk is good at about 3" above the bud union. Or I can try to cut it to 5-6" about the bud union. I just do not see any bud eyes anywhere on the main trunk. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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| Please, that tree is garbage, cut it down and begin again. Apples and pears can be rebuilt, but to a certain degree with peaches you only get one shot and it's been spent, unless you can live with scaffolds starting where the one now exists and a very crooked trunk. A new tree, even a skinny whip, will provide you with full crops much sooner anyway. If you have a thing for saving dying trees, strip off the flowers, juice it with some kind of nitrogen (several aps from mid-spring into mid-summer), keep the soil moist and all weeds and grass away from at least a 3' diameter ring from the trunk. Before you think of training it you need to restore some vigor. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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- Posted by Drew51 5b/6a SE MI (My Page) on
Sat, Dec 13, 14 at 14:21
| I have had young new trees send to me that didn't sprout any new limbs when cut down. I would say chances are zero to about none it will sprout any branches low. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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| The tree had two more scaffolds before deer had some interest in the tree. Then the tree just has one scaffold like it is now. Deer just leaves it alone now. The tree was also slanted before it was staked. We'll probably just cut it down to where the trunk is not damaged. It new shoot comes up, great. If not, we'll just replace it. We have 3 more peach trees close by and they are in good shape. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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| I think the damage extends lower than you realize. A vigorous replacement will come into production sooner than will this poor thing. |
RE: Re-train This Peach Tree?
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Hman is right. That tree is more trouble than it's worth.
Get rid if it and plant a new whip, but you sure better protect it from the deer or you'll be right back where you started. |
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