Advice on young tree maintenance

DD265

I've got a young bay tree - about 14" tall - with a 4" sucker on it. Both currently appear to be thriving. I'd quite like to move the sucker to it's own pot, as I started off with 5 bay cuttings and I'm down to 1, but originally wanted a pair. Am I right that this is best done in the spring now?

Similarly, I have a dwarf peach tree which has gone a bit nuts, forking off into only two branches and I think one of them will be too long for it to support. I was planning to cut it down to above a bud - another job for spring?

Generally, where's a good place/books to look for advice on young trees? Most things I find online seem to be more about maintaining established trees.

Davesnave

It's OK to prune most trees in winter, but the general rule with the plum family is to leave alone until the sap is rising and warmer weather helps the wound to heal. I'm not sure about peaches, but plums may have disease enter the plant through pruning wounds.

If the bay tree sucker has roots, it can be detached any time and potted-up. I've also had success getting bay to root over winter in a frame.

Sorry, I can't help with the books.

Ebe_Scrooge

There's some helpful information on the RHS website : https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=251