Peach in a “Single-Axis” System: Summer Pruning and Renewal of the Fruiting Wall
In Spain, among the rows of a peach orchard trained using a single-axis system, we observe a narrow and continuous vegetative wall built around a central axis covered with fruiting branches. The indicative spacing is 3.80–4.00 metres between rows and 70–90 centimetres between trees within the row. Here, the trees exceed four metres in height, but the system can also be designed as a pedestrian-height system, at around 2.20–2.40 metres, by adapting the rootstock, spacing and vigour management accordingly. Peaches grown on a single axis during summer pruning The objective is to keep fruit production close to the central axis and distribute light throughout the entire fruiting wall, preventing the upper vegetation from weakening the lower portion. Peach trees bear fruit predominantly on one-year-old wood, particularly on mixed shoots. Therefore, while we accompany the fruit through to maturity, we are also preparing the productive branches for the following season. Spurring of vigorous ...