Why should peach trees be pruned promptly after fruit harvest?

① Thin out overly dense vigorous branches; for strong branches, keep 1-2 secondary shoots, and for those without secondary shoots, cut back to leave 35-40 cm of length. Newly lignified shoots should be lightly headed back. Pinch the tips of overly vigorous bearing branches and vigorous branches that have not yet stopped growing.

② For bearing branches, cut back leaving 2-3 reserve branches at the base. For vigorous branches that were twisted, bent or pulled down during winter pruning the previous year, cut back to the secondary shoot at the base, or cut at the point where the bend produced new shoots, then pinch the tips of the new shoots.

③ Renew and rejuvenate weaker small and medium branch groups and horizontal drooping branches. Thin out upright, densely growing and pest- or disease-infested branches on vigorous branch groups; where there is space, they can be cut back leaving 15-20 cm. Note: apply wound healing and anti-decay agent promptly to the pruning cuts to protect the wounds and speed healing, and spray the whole tree with Hushu Dajiangjun to disinfect and sterilize.