Subject: Dead spots,

Dear Stephen ,

Thank you for contacting the UNH Extension Infoline regarding your soil and dead spots concern .

Following up on your email from 7-29-2026, I have put together some information below to help get you started.

We are committed to finding the right solutions for your lawn and garden. Please feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.

Best regards,

Haim
Master Gardener Volunteer
UNH Extension Infoline Team

Subject: Re: Concerns regarding spreading barren soil patches and stunted peach tree

That sounds incredibly frustrating, and I completely understand why you are worried about your orchard and garden. When a barren patch suddenly starts spreading and new spots pop up, it usually indicates a dynamic underground issue rather than just a localized pocket of poor soil.

Based on the symptoms you described, here is a breakdown of what might be happening, what you should test for, and the best steps to address it.

(Potential Causes)

Fungal or Bacterial Pathogens (Root Rot / Canker): Spreading dead zones that impact nearby fruit trees point strongly toward a soil-borne pathogen. Fungi like Phytophthora (which causes root rot) thrive in wet or compacted soil and can gradually spread outward through root contact, stunting or killing trees like your peach.

Heavy Soil Compaction or Hardpan: A "patch of death" where nothing grows can be caused by dense, compressed soil layers beneath the surface. If heavy equipment was parked there years ago, or if there is a shallow ledge of rock or hardpan, roots cannot penetrate it. As tree roots expand and hit this "wall," their growth stalls.]

Historical Contamination: Because you are in New Hampshire, it is worth noting that historical land use matters. Many old NH fields and apple orchards have residual lead arsenate (used heavily as a pesticide a century ago) or other localized chemical dumps bound to the soil, which can permanently stunt vegetation.

Nematodes: These microscopic soil worms can attack the root systems of stone fruits (like peaches), causing extreme stunting and creating expanding patterns of poor plant health in a field.

(What You Should Test For)

You should definitely seek an official diagnosis before treating the soil. Fortunately, we have excellent resources in-state.

Standard Soil Nutrient & Heavy Metal Test: This will check for extreme pH imbalances, severe nutrient deficiencies, and heavy metals like lead or arsenic. You can submit a sample to the UNH Soil Testing Services.

Plant Disease/Pathogen Analysis: To find out if a fungus or bacterium is actively killing the area and stunting your peach tree, you can send a physical sample of roots, soil, and affected peach twigs to the UNH Plant Diagnostic Lab.

The "Screwdriver Test" (DIY Compaction Check): Take a long, heavy screwdriver and try to push it into the healthy grass, and then into the dead patches. If it slides into the grass easily but hits a literal wall a few inches deep in the dead zone, you are dealing with a severe compaction or buried debris issue.

(Immediate Steps to Try)

Isolate the Area: Do not mow across the dead patches and then directly into your healthy garden or orchard. If it is a fungal pathogen, the mower blades and tires can easily drag infected soil and plant tissue to healthy areas. Wash down your mower deck after cutting near the zone.

Check the Peach Tree's Root Flare: Ensure soil or mulch isn't piled up against the trunk of the stunted peach tree. You should be able to see the flare where the trunk widens into the roots right at the surface.

Avoid Quick-Fix Chemicals: Refrain from dumping random fungicides or heavy fertilizers on the patch. If the issue is chemical or compaction-based, adding more products can worsen soil toxicity or burn the remaining root structures.

https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2023/06/unh-extension-can-help-you-diagnose-plant-problems