Peach tree question.

[janedoe]

I cut back my dwarf peach tree last year when a branch snapped because of the weight of the peaches. This year I have another branch that's really weighed down, almost to the ground. Should I prop it up or cut it off? Do people prop up branches or is this an indicator that the tree is producing more than it can handle?

[POPTOP]

I've seen trees propped up, I think apples. You might need to pick some of the peaches early to save the limb. Or, if you think propping will do it, go for it.

[Shelley]

I would not cut it off now, unless it breaks, just prop it up until the fruit is gone. My apricot and peach trees produce so much fruit, that I thin fruit if there are too many after they flower and bud. This has helped with breakage, and I still have more than enough fruit.

[windycanyon]

Thinning will help even out the cropload in future years and enhance eating quality the remaining. Do you have County extension or such near you?

[Georgia]

I'm jealous. For some reason our peach tree hardly bloomed this year and has no peaches. We wonder if it was the harsh winter we had.

[Kain's Mommy]

I recommend thinning the tree as well. I just went through ours and thinned it out. As the peaches get bigger and if I notice a lot of weight then I'll add in supports.

[janedoe]

I'm jealous. For some reason our peach tree hardly bloomed this year and has no peaches. We wonder if it was the harsh winter we had.

I would think so. We were surprised at how well some of our trees did. Winter was really long here.