Brown spot on fruit trees - Ask Extension
Why isn’t the copper fungicide not preventing the brown spot or is this something else?
Knowledgebase
Brown spot on fruit trees #871095
Asked June 01, 2024, 7:14 PM EDT
Why isn’t the copper fungicide not preventing the brown spot or is this something else?
Queen Anne's County Maryland
Expert Response
Our fruit tree leaves co tinier to yellow brown and fall off despite using copper based fungicide frequently all spring and keeping trees pruned for airflow.
We think that this looks like a nutritional issue and the tree has
Nitrogen deficiency symptoms (and possibly other nutrients as well).
Evenly apply 1 lb. of 10-10-10 fertilizer (or an equivalent fertilizer) around the tree base. Fertilizer should not directly contact the tree. Water in the fertilizer.
We suggest that you remove sod and weeds within 2 ft. of the base of each tree and cover with an organic mulch so that the tree is not in competition for water and nutrients.
Peach trees need yearly spring fertilization.
We also suggest getting the soil in the area to get baseline information that will guide fertilizer and lime applications in the future. Here is our soil testing information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs/
And here are pages on growing and caring for stone fruits
('stone' meaning those with pits):
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden-cherries-peaches-plums/
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fruit-plant-care/
It's also important to know that fungicides are not curative- they are preventative and can stop/slow diseases down, but they don't make diseased leaves well.
Christine
Nitrogen deficiency symptoms (and possibly other nutrients as well).
Evenly apply 1 lb. of 10-10-10 fertilizer (or an equivalent fertilizer) around the tree base. Fertilizer should not directly contact the tree. Water in the fertilizer.
We suggest that you remove sod and weeds within 2 ft. of the base of each tree and cover with an organic mulch so that the tree is not in competition for water and nutrients.
Peach trees need yearly spring fertilization.
We also suggest getting the soil in the area to get baseline information that will guide fertilizer and lime applications in the future. Here is our soil testing information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs/
And here are pages on growing and caring for stone fruits
('stone' meaning those with pits):
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden-cherries-peaches-plums/
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fruit-plant-care/
It's also important to know that fungicides are not curative- they are preventative and can stop/slow diseases down, but they don't make diseased leaves well.
Christine
