Dying Peach Tree - Ask Extension
I have an Elberta Dwarf Peach Tree that has produced more peaches in the past few years than I could possibly eat. This year, it bloomed as usual, g...
Knowledgebase
Dying Peach Tree #474621
Asked July 30, 2018, 8:07 PM EDT
I have an Elberta Dwarf Peach Tree that has produced more peaches in the past few years than I could possibly eat. This year, it bloomed as usual, got probably 150 to 200 small peaches on it, and then the peaches started to shrivel up and the leaves began to turn brown and fall to the ground. It seems that the ground around the bottom of the tree was considerably, and continuously more wet than in past years.
1. Can too much rain water kill a peach tree?
2. Do you think it is completely dead, or will it recover next spring?
2. Do you think it is completely dead, or will it recover next spring?
Blair County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
Hi:
Too much water can kill a lot of different plants, or make a plant prone to a root pathogen. How is the drainage? Can you send a picture of the base of the tree?
Too much water can kill a lot of different plants, or make a plant prone to a root pathogen. How is the drainage? Can you send a picture of the base of the tree?
There is very little, if any, drainage. The ground is basically clay once you get down eight or ten inches. The picture I'm attaching is, of course, during days and days of rain, but I will admit that the water will pool up around the base of the tree. It's just that the tree is four or five years old and I didn't expect this. But then again, this is one of the rainiest years we've had for some time. If it live through the summer, and into next year, should I put some mulch around the base?
There is very little, if any, drainage. The ground is basically clay once you get down eight or ten inches. The picture I'm attaching is, of course, during days and days of rain, but I will admit that the water will pool up around the base of the tree. It's just that the tree is four or five years old and I didn't expect this. But then again, this is one of the rainiest years we've had for some time. If it live through the summer, and into next year, should I put some mulch around the base?
Hi:
It looks like the tree has a number of stress issues. I am almost 100% sure it is planted too deep based on the photo; meaning the base of the tree and root flare are below ground. Also, there is a depression at the bottom of the tree so water pools there, so along with the heavy clay, the drainage is bad. Finally, the tree should have a mulch area extending out as far as you are comfortable. Turfgrass is a heavy competitor for nutrients and water.
It looks like the tree has a number of stress issues. I am almost 100% sure it is planted too deep based on the photo; meaning the base of the tree and root flare are below ground. Also, there is a depression at the bottom of the tree so water pools there, so along with the heavy clay, the drainage is bad. Finally, the tree should have a mulch area extending out as far as you are comfortable. Turfgrass is a heavy competitor for nutrients and water.
