Peach Tree Help - Ask Extension
What is happening to my peach trees? The trees are dying back one branch at a time on selective trees. I also noticed some "tar" like subst...
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Peach Tree Help #764681
Asked July 29, 2021, 4:57 PM EDT
What is happening to my peach trees? The trees are dying back one branch at a time on selective trees. I also noticed some "tar" like substance on some of the fruit on the affected branches.
Rutland County Vermont
Expert Response
Do you see the banch tips bending as if in shape of a shepard's crook? I can't tell from the photos.
I've attached an example.
I've attached an example.
No. The branch tips are not curled at all. The leaves begin to discolor and fall off.
On the second photo you can see the left branch of the tree is failing. This spring I took off one fourth of the tree.
On the first tree photo you can see it is just starting on the center lower branch.
Peaches are tough. They get a fair number of canker diseases plus are prone to winter damage, all which can cause a gummy exudates to occur on the branches as a wound response. THe gummy exudate on the fruit may be related to a disease called brown rot. This fungal disease was prevalent this year and can cause fruit rot and branch dieback. https://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/ipddl/publications/5090e/
At the base of the dying branches do you see any sunken areas which would be a result of a canker disease? There is really no cure for these except pruning out the dead/dying branch below the injury.
Ann Hazelrigg
Plant Pathologist
At the base of the dying branches do you see any sunken areas which would be a result of a canker disease? There is really no cure for these except pruning out the dead/dying branch below the injury.
Ann Hazelrigg
Plant Pathologist
