Peach Tree Care - Ask Extension
Hi,
I inherited a peach tree when we moved in which I think came up voluntarily. It is now about 20 ft high. The blossoms always succumb to a late...
Knowledgebase
Peach Tree Care #873575
Asked June 18, 2024, 10:21 AM EDT
Hi,
I inherited a peach tree when we moved in which I think came up voluntarily. It is now about 20 ft high. The blossoms always succumb to a late spring freeze but this year we have a lot of peaches set on the tree. Being my first go around with actual fruit on the tree I'm looking for advice on care of the tree/fruit?
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. 2024 seems to be a good year for fruit trees. We did not have the late spring frosts that so often affect the fruit trees.
In general you should thin the fruit to 8-10" between fruit prior to the fruit reaching 1" in diameter. If the fruit is larger than 1" you may have smaller and less juicy fruit. Spacing out the fruit allows the proper air circulation and less fruit for the tree to develop. It may also help with pests.
Here is additional information on peach tree pruning and training, see pg. 6-7. https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/771.pd
There are a few pests that are fairly common for stone fruit trees. Peachtree borer and green peach aphid are two insect pests. Cytospora canker is a common fungal disease. Here is information regarding Integrated Pest Management:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/backyard-orchard-stone-fruits-2-804/?_gl=1
If you have additional questions, please respond to this email. Would you please send your zip code? This is for our internal use only to track where in the county you live. Thank you.
In general you should thin the fruit to 8-10" between fruit prior to the fruit reaching 1" in diameter. If the fruit is larger than 1" you may have smaller and less juicy fruit. Spacing out the fruit allows the proper air circulation and less fruit for the tree to develop. It may also help with pests.
Here is additional information on peach tree pruning and training, see pg. 6-7. https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/771.pd
There are a few pests that are fairly common for stone fruit trees. Peachtree borer and green peach aphid are two insect pests. Cytospora canker is a common fungal disease. Here is information regarding Integrated Pest Management:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/backyard-orchard-stone-fruits-2-804/?_gl=1
If you have additional questions, please respond to this email. Would you please send your zip code? This is for our internal use only to track where in the county you live. Thank you.
