Q.
I had a old peach tree of about 30 years die, sadly. We cut it down and had it
removed. Last year several suckers sprouted from below the ground. Different
leaves so I know it is not peach. What are they? Should I leave them alone and allow them to
grow?
I had a old peach tree of about 30 years die, sadly. We cut it down and had it
removed. Last year several suckers sprouted from below the ground. Different
leaves so I know it is not peach. What are they? Should I leave them alone and allow them to
grow?
 |
| Sucker growth from the rootstock of ornamental plum. Notice the different color of leaves from the rootstock versus the top of the tree which is red |
A.
30 year old peach tree is quite an accomplishment! They are normally very
short-lived as far as fruit trees go. Peach is hit very hard by borers and
starts to decline around 12 years of age or a bit older. A 20 year old tree is
really getting up there in age.
30 year old peach tree is quite an accomplishment! They are normally very
short-lived as far as fruit trees go. Peach is hit very hard by borers and
starts to decline around 12 years of age or a bit older. A 20 year old tree is
really getting up there in age.
When you purchase a peach tree from a
nursery or commercially they are grafted (budded) onto a rootstock or a second
tree that is growing in the ground. This is because the rootstock part of the
tree has certain attributes that the peach tree does not. This can be some
tolerance of wet soils, soils containing a higher amount of clay than normal,
some resistance to soil salts, diseases and nematodes.
nursery or commercially they are grafted (budded) onto a rootstock or a second
tree that is growing in the ground. This is because the rootstock part of the
tree has certain attributes that the peach tree does not. This can be some
tolerance of wet soils, soils containing a higher amount of clay than normal,
some resistance to soil salts, diseases and nematodes.
As far as peach goes, some even cause the
top of the tree to be slightly smaller than it would if it grew on its own
roots. There are a number of different rootstocks available for these purposes.
top of the tree to be slightly smaller than it would if it grew on its own
roots. There are a number of different rootstocks available for these purposes.
This may be a “plum” rootstock that you
are seeing. It will produce fruit that you will probably not enjoy. Remove it
and plant a peach variety that appeals to you.
are seeing. It will produce fruit that you will probably not enjoy. Remove it
and plant a peach variety that appeals to you.