Should I stake this peach tree?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I planted this peach tree in the spring of 2019. I am located in the Catskills in New York State, and it is a Reliance Peach. The tree did well. I got some peaches last year, the first season, and I've got a good number coming this year. Only one problem: this was my very first peach tree (or tree of any kind). We're on an incline, and I did not plant it very skillfully. As you can see it is leaning to the left due to my sloppiness.

This year I staked it for a time to correct the leaning. After a week or two I removed the staking to see how it was going. It seemed ok so I kept the staking off, and after a few days the leaning resumed. The question is whether I should stake it again and, if so, for how long.

I consulted an arborist (who was treating my ash trees for borers), and he was noncommital. He said I "could" stake the tree, and if so I should remove the stake as soon as it could stand by itself. He's not big on staking trees, and that seems to be the consensus of what I've consulted online. Still, it does seem to be a pronounced lean and I don't see how that can be good for the tree.

Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

The lean is insignificant and is not harmful. Trees can grow almost horizontally if so inclined or the conditions dictate. I wouldn't bother to stake now.

btw, you never want a fruit tree to be so full of fruit that is liable to tip over or break limbs. You need to thin the fruit down to a sufficient quantity the tree can support properly.

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Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
im not sure thats the right question ...

if it were full of fruit ... and liable to tip over and break ..... i would say stake it to prevent that ...

but i dont think .. not being there an all ... that you are going to straighten it out.. by temporary staking ...

so that would leave me with ... how do you prune it .. so it evens itself out ... over the years ... lets say.. balance itself ...

what zone are you ... im guessing zone 5 .. that looks like a lot of growth for a given season... are you fert'g it????

if you decide to plant another tree.. lets talk about it.. in advance ...

ken
George Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Ken. I am in Zone 5. I did fertilize it early in the season, but only once. Any tips on pruning appreciated. Yes, I am getting nice growth. We do have quite a bit of fruit.
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George Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Last night we had severe rain---and we are expecting more. The leaning worsened a bit, so as Ken suggested I'm staking again, not to correct the lean but to prevent tipping over! Meanwhile if anyone has any suggestions re pruning, or any good resource materials available on that, I'd appreciate it. Last year were got four or five peaches and no branches broke, even though the plant was much less robust then, but I see the danger.
sah_upstate4 (zone 5b - NY)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
"that looks like a lot of growth for a given season... are you fert'g it????"

Fertilizer or not, stone fruits (especially when young) are known for putting on a lot of vegetative growth very quickly, even in regions with short growing seasons.
George Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Well now I'm worried about tipping over, but have staked to prevent that. I just found a picture of the three peaches we got on Sept. 8 of last year (we planted it on April 17, 2019). They were huge. Now we must be getting a dozen at least. Picture below shows the tree as of May 3. The white flags keep away the deer..

From what I've seen on pruning on the web, I seem to have missed the boat and will have to wait until next year..
Embothrium
6 years ago
As when any purchased tree leans yours may be rootbound. When I search the web for "pruning peach trees" a lot comes up. Including pictures.
George Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
I've re-staked the tree, not to correct the leaning but to prevent toppling, as I have at least 21 peaches on this tree, vs. three last year. I'll remove the staking once the peaches are gone, and

then prune at the appropriate time. Am supporting the tree with an old hose with a wire therein.
Embothrium
6 years ago
You should probably think about thinning the fruit.