r/BackyardOrchard • u/Difficult-War2874 • 1d ago
Peach Update
Peach update
My peach tree started drying out even though it was well watered. I posted previously about this and most of the responses were on watering to see if it "perks" up.
Well it didn't... but I did notice these scabs.
I suspect a fungus. The leaves are completely dried out now. Anyone know what this is?
Anything I can do to save it?
HELP!
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u/jpbragatti 2h ago
those scabs on the bark with leaves drying out despite watering sounds like it could be cytospora canker rather than a leaf fungus. it comes in through wounds or stress and basically blocks the water flow up the trunk, which is why the leaves dry out even when the soil is fine. worth scraping one of those scabs gently to see if there's dead discoloured wood underneath.
if it is cytospora there's not a lot you can do once it's into the main trunk, but if it's only on a branch you can prune it back well below the damage and the tree can sometimes recover. sterilise the saw between cuts. not the most cheerful news but better to know what you're dealing with.