Question: i planted the peach and pear trees (two of each next to each other) last week. they now have pea size fruits on them. my husbands friend said to pick these off the first year. Is this right? why or why not?
PLEASE  Peggy - Colorado City, TX

Answer: If I were you, I would follow your friends' advice.  Right now you are most concerned about getting your tree well established.  Good growth to the roots and then to the top.  Prune and shape so it will have branching for the future that is easy to reach and pick.  Production of fruit takes a lot of the tree's energy and you want all that energy for root development and top development.  I would take off that young fruit this year for sure and even consider it next year too depending on how well the tree gets established.

Ron L.