Failure to thrive peach tree - Ask Extension
I have a peach tree that was planted in 2020 as a bare rot transplant. Every year since then it has leafed out and for the last 2 years in flowered. L...
Knowledgebase
Failure to thrive peach tree #885557
Asked September 17, 2024, 11:53 AM EDT
I have a peach tree that was planted in 2020 as a bare rot transplant. Every year since then it has leafed out and for the last 2 years in flowered. Last year there were a number of small peaches, this year only one or two. Additionally the leaves withered (see picture) and fell prematurely. I have not used any spray but I’m wondering if maybe I should. Can you help me tell what’s happening here? Is there anything I can do to improve the health of this tree or is it toast? Thank you.
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Peach typically won't produce fruit until year 3. Most of the tree's energy should be allocated towards root and branch formation in the initial years.
Peaches bloom early in MIchigan, and the buds can be killed if there is a frost after bloom. That happened in parts of SE MI this year, leading to a small peach crop.
Young trees should be fertilized each year. with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 pound per inch of trunk diameter or half a pound per year of age. No more than 5 pounds of fertilizer per inch should be applied in a single year. The total amount of fertilizer should be split between a mid-late April and late May fertilizer application.
Your leaves do show some signs of stress, which could be due to lack of water or peach leaf curl. If from peach leaf curl, it can still produce fruit.
Peaches bloom early in MIchigan, and the buds can be killed if there is a frost after bloom. That happened in parts of SE MI this year, leading to a small peach crop.
Young trees should be fertilized each year. with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 pound per inch of trunk diameter or half a pound per year of age. No more than 5 pounds of fertilizer per inch should be applied in a single year. The total amount of fertilizer should be split between a mid-late April and late May fertilizer application.
Your leaves do show some signs of stress, which could be due to lack of water or peach leaf curl. If from peach leaf curl, it can still produce fruit.
