Q. I bought a Babcock peach in the summer of 2014 and
planted it at about an elevation of 3700 feet. I planted it as you recommended
including a 4 inch layer of mulch on top of the soil around the tree. The tree
budded nicely but I noticed most stem ends just died and dried up this past
winter.
planted it at about an elevation of 3700 feet. I planted it as you recommended
including a 4 inch layer of mulch on top of the soil around the tree. The tree
budded nicely but I noticed most stem ends just died and dried up this past
winter.
 |
| Two-year-old Babcock peach |
 |
| Dieback on Babcock peach stems from a lack of water |
A. When stems die back like you describe it is usually a
problem with water or freezing temperatures. Unless temperatures dropped down
to 15° F it is most likely water related.
problem with water or freezing temperatures. Unless temperatures dropped down
to 15° F it is most likely water related.
Water
related can mean either too much or too little water because both can result in
stems dying back. It is obvious that a lack of water can cause something like
this but less obvious if it is from too much applied water .
related can mean either too much or too little water because both can result in
stems dying back. It is obvious that a lack of water can cause something like
this but less obvious if it is from too much applied water .
Giving a
plant too much water can mean either two things; either applying too much
water each time you irrigate or giving the plant water too frequently. The
first one, applying too much water each time you irrigate, usually doesn’t
create a problem for the plant, it just wastes water. But the second one,
watering too often, can be far more dangerous to a plant.
plant too much water can mean either two things; either applying too much
water each time you irrigate or giving the plant water too frequently. The
first one, applying too much water each time you irrigate, usually doesn’t
create a problem for the plant, it just wastes water. But the second one,
watering too often, can be far more dangerous to a plant.
 |
| Collar rot or crown rot on honeysuckle because of wet mulch in contact with the stems |
Watering
too often can fill the soil around the roots with so much water that the roots
cannot “breathe” and they begin to suffocate. Allowing the water enough time to
drain from around the roots allows air to enter the soil again and roots can breathe.
too often can fill the soil around the roots with so much water that the roots
cannot “breathe” and they begin to suffocate. Allowing the water enough time to
drain from around the roots allows air to enter the soil again and roots can breathe.
Unless a
plant is growing in pure sand or in a small container, withholding water for a
few days before the next irrigation gives roots a chance to “breathe” again.
There is enough water left in the soil to last a few days after an irrigation in normal soils.
plant is growing in pure sand or in a small container, withholding water for a
few days before the next irrigation gives roots a chance to “breathe” again.
There is enough water left in the soil to last a few days after an irrigation in normal soils.
 |
| Apple growing in wet soils with collar rot |
There is
another possibility. You mentioned you have a 4 inch layer of mulch on top of
the soil surrounding the tree. This will really help your trees, however do not
allow this mulch to rest against the trunk of new trees. Always keep mulch away
from the trunk of trees while they are young. At least 12 inches.
another possibility. You mentioned you have a 4 inch layer of mulch on top of
the soil surrounding the tree. This will really help your trees, however do not
allow this mulch to rest against the trunk of new trees. Always keep mulch away
from the trunk of trees while they are young. At least 12 inches.
Wet mulch can “rot” the trunk
where it is in contact with the wet mulch. This “rot” is a disease called
collar rot. Collar rot disease will “choke” the trunk and prevent water from
moving from the roots to the top of the tree. The symptoms are identical to a
lack of water and this is a strong possibility in your case.
where it is in contact with the wet mulch. This “rot” is a disease called
collar rot. Collar rot disease will “choke” the trunk and prevent water from
moving from the roots to the top of the tree. The symptoms are identical to a
lack of water and this is a strong possibility in your case.
and lose the stakes…they should have been removed over a year ago at least and the tall one has been getting smacked by the adjacent branches.