Backyard Fruit Tree Disease or Pest - Ask Extension
Our Backyard Apple Trees, Cherry Bush, Peach Tree, Fig Tree, and Apricot Tree are all having issues. We planted all but the Fig tree in Fall 2020. ...
Knowledgebase
Backyard Fruit Tree Disease or Pest #800889
Asked July 13, 2022, 11:26 AM EDT
Our Backyard Apple Trees, Cherry Bush, Peach Tree, Fig Tree, and Apricot Tree are all having issues. We planted all but the Fig tree in Fall 2020. The fig we have had for many years. We had the trees pruned early this past February and sprayed with a Dormant Mineral Oil a few days later. Then on May 21st, we did a Bonide Fruit Tree Spray application because we were noticing a bug or disease causing leaves to shrivel and sections to die off. The lower section of the peach tree is looking the worst but the rest of that tree seems to be doing better. The Fuji Apple Tree has a lot of brown spots on the leaves and some twigs that died off and the fruit is spotted as well. I believe it was sticky as well in those areas that died off. The Small Cherry Bush had a lot of twigs die back as well. The apricot has small holes in the leaves and is not giving fruit yet although it bloomed. We also have a Mature Fig Tree that has a lot of fruit but they always drop off the tree each year before they ripen. Any thoughts what is happening with my fruit trees and bushes? Do we need to spray with something or get an arborist to come out and look at them? Any help you could provide would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Our basic publication for home orchards is EC 819. Managing pests and diseases is EC 631.
You’ve asked more questions than this web-based forum is made for. I suggest you contact the Metro Master Gardener Volunteers here. You may have different issues with each type of tree. It is important to wait for firm diagnosis before spraying. Diagnosis requires a history and growing conditions for each tree. Hiring a certified arborist experienced with fruit trees has the benefit of a site visit, which master gardeners can’t do.
The fig tree is a puzzle, as we get a first crop from our tree, but the later crop always drops. Perhaps yours isn’t the best variety for this area? Are you pruning it? If so, you may be cutting off the first crop each year. There are some good web sites and videos online about pruning figs in the PNW.
You’ve asked more questions than this web-based forum is made for. I suggest you contact the Metro Master Gardener Volunteers here. You may have different issues with each type of tree. It is important to wait for firm diagnosis before spraying. Diagnosis requires a history and growing conditions for each tree. Hiring a certified arborist experienced with fruit trees has the benefit of a site visit, which master gardeners can’t do.
The fig tree is a puzzle, as we get a first crop from our tree, but the later crop always drops. Perhaps yours isn’t the best variety for this area? Are you pruning it? If so, you may be cutting off the first crop each year. There are some good web sites and videos online about pruning figs in the PNW.