Bad Beginnings for this Peach...need advice!

[John_KAYS]

So I don't deal with this a lot and would love to get your opinion on this problem. I am not familiar with Peach trees and don't know the best path to take.

Homeowner says this tree was planted maybe 3 years ago when they got it from a nursery. It was planted at least 6" too deep and I believe has some sort of soil borne pathogen. The whole side of the tree has the nasty goop coming out of various wounds. Homeowner says the leaves are curled and discolored when in leaf.

Sounds like a fungus to me and the fact that it was planted way low seems to be the culprit.

Replanting this thing at the proper depth is in order, but is it worth it with a tree this damaged? What is the best way to heal this sick tree?

Thanks ever so much for your advice!

 

[KTSmith]

This isn't much help but here goes: the gooey flux symptom is called "gummosis" but is not indicative of a specific disease. Could be simply mechanical damage or cytospora (valsa) canker or bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae or one or two other bacteria in that genus). Yes, the tree is vigorously responding to the injury, but up here in northern New England, well-outside of the optimal range of peach, I haven't seen them re-establish continuity of the vascular cambium after showing those symptoms. But perhaps folks with more experience than me in PA and points south can better reply.

 

[John_KAYS]

This isn't much help but here goes: the gooey flux symptom is called "gummosis" but is not indicative of a specific disease. Could be simply mechanical damage or cytospora (valsa) canker or bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae or one or two other bacteria in that genus). Yes, the tree is vigorously responding to the injury, but up here in northern New England, well-outside of the optimal range of peach, I haven't seen them re-establish continuity of the vascular cambium after showing those symptoms. But perhaps folks with more experience than me in PA and points south can better reply.

Thanks KTSmith. It is always a pleasure hearing from you. I figured the gummosis could mean just about anything. I didn't see any borer holes anywhere which is commonly the cause on peaches, and I'm not sure the other "leaf curl" includes a gummosis symptom..if it is leaf curl. The depth of planting is obviously a problem to begin with and is a huge factor in why the tree is stressed.

If it were my tree I would probably start over with a new plant at this young stage.

 

[RopeShield]

Could be worth saving. If a root ball is contained. Here Peach tree borer and leaf curl/fungus will end its life. Move on and replant. Frass in the gum, no. Frost damage mb. They are sensitive.

 

[guymayor]

I think that woundwood rolling in strong like that might reestablish vascular continuity, and health, and structure.

I recommend covering the newly exposed bark with fabric or whitewash. Starting over would be a huge loss, and a wild gamble that the replacement will do better.

Peaches in New England?

 

[John_KAYS]

I think that woundwood rolling in strong like that might reestablish vascular continuity, and health, and structure.

I recommend covering the newly exposed bark with fabric or whitewash. Starting over would be a huge loss, and a wild gamble that the replacement will do better.

Peaches in New England?

Thanks Guy. The more I thought about it, I think it is definitely worth trying to save it. If it was a borer along with the wounded stem I would think it had too much to fight, but it doesn't look like borers. What is the likelihood of leaf curl to be successfully cured with treatment/without treatment and what is the most narrow spectrum treatment?

I like your suggestion of covering the newly exposed bark and I am going to bring the thing to grade. I just don't do a lot with sprays and am not familiar with peaches. Any advice on what type of treatment...if it is leaf curl - I am trying to make sure I properly diagnose this before treating, but am currently thinking it is most likely Leaf Curl...

 

[guymayor]

Precise ID is beside the point; I agree with "the gooey flux symptom is called "gummosis" but is not indicative of a specific disease. Could be simply mechanical damage or cytospora (valsa) canker or bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae or one or two other bacteria in that genus)."

Sanitize and dry the affected area, invigorate the roots by modifying the soil, is what I try to do.