Fruit tree problems - Ask Extension
1. Do you know what type of fruit this is? This is our first summer in our new house, so we have no idea what kind of tree this is.
2. How do I pro...
Knowledgebase
Fruit tree problems #415660
Asked July 20, 2017, 2:41 PM EDT
1. Do you know what type of fruit this is? This is our first summer in our new house, so we have no idea what kind of tree this is.
2. How do I protect the fruit from getting these small holes?
3. Most of the fruit (70%) withers on the branch (see pictures). What causes this and can I prevent it?
The tree sits atop a hill and is fully shaded by other larger trees.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
This is a peach tree. The symptoms on the fruits shown in your second photo is indicative of brown rot disease. This is a common fungal disease in peaches. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/diseases-stone-fruit
The holes/spots might be damage from plum curculio (insect) feeding. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/insects-stone-fruit
Peaches are very difficult to grow successfully in our area due to a number of diseases and insect pressures. It really takes a good regimen of pruning and spraying to produce flawless fruits. For home peach growers, we recommend following the Virginia Tech Home Fruit Preventative Spray schedule, which can be found on the following page. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/home-fruit-preventative-spray-schedule-and-management-common-problem...
Peach trees also need regular pruning and thinning to do well. Here is information how to prune them. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruits/stone-fruit-training-and-pruning
Also, here are our recommendations for good care of stone fruit trees in general: fertilizing, watering, etc.
http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruits/stone-fruit-care-fertilizing-fruit-thinning-harvesting-spray-...
ckc
The holes/spots might be damage from plum curculio (insect) feeding. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/insects-stone-fruit
Peaches are very difficult to grow successfully in our area due to a number of diseases and insect pressures. It really takes a good regimen of pruning and spraying to produce flawless fruits. For home peach growers, we recommend following the Virginia Tech Home Fruit Preventative Spray schedule, which can be found on the following page. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/home-fruit-preventative-spray-schedule-and-management-common-problem...
Peach trees also need regular pruning and thinning to do well. Here is information how to prune them. http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruits/stone-fruit-training-and-pruning
Also, here are our recommendations for good care of stone fruit trees in general: fertilizing, watering, etc.
http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruits/stone-fruit-care-fertilizing-fruit-thinning-harvesting-spray-...
ckc
