Peach tree

We have inherited a peach tree in our new garden. Half of the tree looks rather dead, but there is definitely some fruit coming.


We will have to decide whether to remove it in favour of something else, or attempt to resurrect it - which will mean removing more than 50% of the tree. That'll be one whole side, leaving it rather lop-sided.
I imagine the former will be my preference, but if we get some tasty peaches, then OH will be keen to keep it.

 

That would be lovely to have a peach tree. I've been trying to grow a nectarine for a couple of years, this year is the first year it has borne fruit. My fingers are firmly crossed they'll hang on. This is what I love about gardening, there's always something to look forward to. Good luck with your tree.

 

There is the strong possibility your tree is suffering from peach leaf curl which kills most peach trees grown outside.
Keeping rain off it during the winter, winter washes, cannot remember which one, and picking off affected leaves can help.

 

The French use a spray made from a horsetail "tea". It's a powerful fingicide that can be use to prevent as well as treat peach leaf curl, potato blight, rusts and botrytis in many plants. Not harmful to pollinators.

1kilo fresh horsetail
9 litres of rain water

Combine the two in a plastic bucket - not metal - and leave for 2 weeks. Stir occasionally. It's ready when the water has gone black. It will smell so you may want a lid.

Strain the resulting liquid, put the goo on the compost heap and dilute the rest 1 part to 9 parts water and spray. Not harmful to plants or insects.

 

We planted Avalon Pride being told that it was resistant to peach leaf curl 10 years ago. It isn't! We have had the grand sum of one peach in all those years.

 

I've had peach trees for years, some years I get some fruit some I dont, I get peach leaf curl and its bad this year, last year it wasn't nearly as bad as it was dryer.

My sorry looking tree that I have now is a bit overgrown by other trees but had a surprising amount of fruit last year, but I find it all ripens at once and only lasts a couple of days, once ripe, before rotting.

Slightly off topic, I grew a Apricot from a stone about six years ago and it has just one fruit this year, its first one.

 

I planted an apricot a few years ago @pete . Its first year it made 5 fruit of which 3 fell off. The next year it produced a couple of dozen.

Last year it produced several kilos and I still have bags of them, halved then frozen. I also have the best apricot jam I've ever tasted and gave some to neighbours as well as enjoying them fresh and cooked for desserts.

Still waiting for the peach trees and nectarine to perform.

 

Thank you @Goldenlily26
We noted the leaf curl on the tree, and would certainly prefer something more productive. It would probably be a pear tree. I don't like pears, but my wife does.

 

I have a peach tree i have never expected it to produce fruits. it has lots of leaves though, and little offshoots, should i remove some leaves ?

 

I would not remove any leaves. What do you mean by little off shoots? If they are growing from the trunk of the tree remove them by pulling them off with a downward movement rather than cutting them off. They are suckers which should be discouraged.

 

Ive heard a winter wash with vinegar or a mild alkaline might kill the overwintering fungus which lives on the bark for PLC. youd do it in say february.

Sad to hear, ive heard it was resistant from a few people, perhaps your area has it especially nasty.
Our peach gets PLC, unsure the variety, but it does still make maybe 8 peaches a year.

 

Try adding some elder flowers or syrup this year, really yummy combination.

 

Thanks. It'll have to be syrup as the elder flowers are long over by the time I get apricots. I suspect after last year the apricot may have a bit of a rest this year.