Illinois...

[Faraday40]

Where's Pipsqueak?

Hint:

He finds his own way to stay warm. He really loves the BIG hens!

 

[BReeder!]

Do any of you prune trees this time of year? I pruned or peach tree for the first time today. Cross posting these pics, but interested in a local opinion and any pruning advice. My goals are to provide good air flow, keep branches from rubbing each other or the fences, allow easy access to the chicken run gate, contain the tree in my yard as much as possible (trying to not infringe on the neighbor), and keep the branches off the being over the chicken run -- all while trying to improve fruit production and size and maintain the health of the tree.

 

[cavemanrich]

BReeder!​

I never had much luck with peach trees. They would grow to about your size,,,,, bear fruit one or two years,,, and die. Maybe I had the wrong variety for my area/zone 5A

 

[NotAFarm]

@BReeder!
What kind of peach tree? From nursery?

 

[STACEYH]

Do any of you prune trees this time of year? I pruned or peach tree for the first time today. Cross posting these pics, but interested in a local opinion and any pruning advice. My goals are to provide good air flow, keep branches from rubbing each other or the fences, allow easy access to the chicken run gate, contain the tree in my yard as much as possible (trying to not infringe on the neighbor), and keep the branches off the being over the chicken run -- all while trying to improve fruit production and size and maintain the health of the tree.

View attachment 2987529View attachment 2987531

You shouldn't prune peach trees in the winter.They are best pruned in spring. You want to prune for best sunlight. I never had to prune 3 of my 4 peach trees. I had one with bad growth and had to open the center up for sunlight. It caused me to have to prune every year. You want to prune the limbs that grow straight up that will never produce fruit. It is also better to plant where a tree or bush can grow without causing problems. Planting that close to the fence will be an issue if the neighbor don't like peaches. When you buy plants remember they will grow up and need more room as an adult tree/ bush.

 

[BReeder!]

@BReeder!
What kind of peach tree? From nursery?

I forgot the exact variety. It's in an old post here somewhere. I can search later (easier to do on the PC version on my laptop). I know I bought it at Walmart though.

Edit to add: I think it's a 'Diamond Princess' peach tree, which is zoned as 5-8. I'm certainly pushing the boundary here in zone 5. It produced peaches last year though and has a lit of healthy buds on it right now.

 

[BReeder!]

You shouldn't prune peach trees in the winter.They are best pruned in spring. You want to prune for best sunlight. I never had to prune 3 of my 4 peach trees. I had one with bad growth and had to open the center up for sunlight. It caused me to have to prune every year. You want to prune the limbs that grow straight up that will never produce fruit. It is also better to plant where a tree or bush can grow without causing problems. Planting that close to the fence will be an issue if the neighbor don't like peaches. When you buy plants remember they will grow up and need more room as an adult tree/ bush.

This is helpful. I know not to prune in "winter" but everything I read says early Spring before the sap starts to flow. Sap starts flowing within the next few weeks just, often while there's still snow on the ground. I also noted many sources say the reason to but prune IM Fall or Winter is because the trees are more vulnerable to disease with long lasting f open winds that won't begin healing until the Spring. To be safe, I painted all the cuts to seal them.

Edit to add:
The planting location was a poor decision. I was less educated on trees and gardening in general 3 years ago. The neighbor doesn't actually mind the tree at all, but I know he grows tomatoes on the other side of the fence and don't want low branches getting in the way. I also have to keep branches from rubbing on the fence, two were chafed pretty bad actually and I pruned them off.

 

[Molpet]

Well I have joined the ranks of those who have gotten locked in a coop

Last night the bottom slide bolt wouldn't go in the bracket, something at the bottom of the door keeping door from shutting the last quarter inch. It was cold so I figured the top bolt would be good. But I left the bottom bolt sticking out.
When I opened this morning and went in with the feed, the door slammed shut. Somehow the bolt went into the bracket and no amount of body slamming or kicking would open it.
I live alone. I did have my cell phone but fortunately I had a knife in my pocket, almost took it out because my back was bothering me. I was able to turn the bolt and slide it over and I was free.
This is the kind of bolt latch

 

[BReeder!]

Well I have joined the ranks of those who have gotten locked in a coop

Last night the bottom slide bolt wouldn't go in the bracket, something at the bottom of the door keeping door from shutting the last quarter inch. It was cold so I figured the top bolt would be good. But I left the bottom bolt sticking out.
When I opened this morning and went in with the feed, the door slammed shut. Somehow the bolt went into the bracket and no amount of body slamming or kicking would open it.
I live alone. I did have my cell phone but fortunately I had a knife in my pocket, almost took it out because my back was bothering me. I was able to turn the bolt and slide it over and I was free.
This is the kind of bolt latch

View attachment 2987678

I've been there...

We have this type (below) on the chicken run gate and I attached a string that runs from the top of the latch in the outside into the run and through an eye bolt with a large ring tied on the end to prevent the string from slipping through to the wrong side of the gate. To get out we can pull the string to unlatch the gate.

 

[STACEYH]

This is helpful. I know not to prune in "winter" but everything I read says early Spring before the sap starts to flow. Sap starts flowing within the next few weeks just, often while there's still snow on the ground. I also noted many sources say the reason to but prune IM Fall or Winter is because the trees are more vulnerable to disease with long lasting f open winds that won't begin healing until the Spring. To be safe, I painted all the cuts to seal them.

Edit to add:
The planting location was a poor decision. I was less educated on trees and gardening in general 3 years ago. The neighbor doesn't actually mind the tree at all, but I know he grows tomatoes on the other side of the fence and don't want low branches getting in the way. I also have to keep branches from rubbing on the fence, two were chafed pretty bad actually and I pruned them off.

The best time to prune a peach tree is in the early spring before the sap begins running. Pruning in the early spring will reduce the chances of pest infestation. Springtime pruning is also easier since without foliage, the shape of the tree is easier to view. Avoid pruning in the winter, as this can reduce the cold hardiness of the tree. I understand the chafing but I think 2 more weeks could have been better. I would do miine in 3 weeks and you are farther noth.
It is good he don't mind because your peach tree in a few years could shade out his tomato plants. Also tomato and potatoes should be kept away from peach trees because of the spread of blight.