Peach Tree Maintenance
Gardening Question from Jeffrey:
My peach tree branch that was cut because of rotting the stump that is left rotting also, i can reach into it and feel softness my ? what can i pack inside the branch to promote healing.
Answer from Pat:
Sometimes it’s possible to save a tree with rotting area by cutting out the rot and then painting the wood with Bordeaux spray: 6 1/2 teaspoons of copper sulfate, 3 Tablespoons hydrated lime to one gallon of water. Mix the lime and copper sulfate separately with about a quart of water, strain through cheesecloth, then combine. In some states you can purchase this spray ready-made. Use gloves, and protective glasses and clothing. Alternatively, hire an arborist who can cut out the rot, treat the wood with fungicide and fill the cavity with concrete.
Ran across your web and I need advice on peach tree. I planted this tree in Hot Tracy Calif. back in 2012. Did not prune it. One year got decent peaches and this year due to I’m figuring lack of decent watering peaches are about 2 inches, and green and it’s already third week in July. Leaves definitely look curled up. So my question is… Is it too late to save the tree or present fruit on it? Or do I need to finish out the season and try and prune it for next year in July of 2019? Thanks Klelia Orr
I am so sorry you have had this problem with your peach tree. Since you have found my blog I am sure you have read what I have told other people about peach tree problems and global warming which causes climate change. Basically, yes you can try watering if you want. This might save the tree but of course not your crop. The small fruit and the fact it is still green is due to climate change which has caused erratic swings of temperature earlier in the year and very hot weather now..
Peach varieties are many and varied. Growing peaches is successful when specific varieties adapted to specific climate zones are planted and grown in those specific climate zones known to give them the temperatures they need to produce a good crop. It is also necessary to prune correctly in winter. More wood needs to be removed from peach trees than from most other deciduous fruit trees. This is because they bear their fruit on new wood. Never neglect winter pruning and always refer to a good pruning book so you will do it as correctly as possible. No one can prune perfectly. The point is to do your best to follow the rules.
That said, the problems you have described are not due to lack of pruning. The problems you are having are most likely entirely due to climate change. There is nothing you can do about that except vote people into Congress who will face up to this world-wide problem and try to do something about it.