6 responses |
David84 starts with ... Hello, my name is David. I recently took an interest in some fruit trees my mom planted around her house some years back and has not been able to care for. One of them is a nectarine tree she has in her front yard which appears to be in terrible condition! The bark looks charred, there is a large knot on the trunk, the leaves look sickly (even in spring and summer) and there are a number dead branches that need to be pruned and it seems to be bleeding profusely. I believe I can take care of the pruning, but as for the rest I have no idea what the cause is. I think it needs to be replaced. Any advice you can offer is much appreciated. Thank you, David.
| About the Author David84 California 4th November 2012 6:47am #UserID: 7390 Posts: 2 View All David84's Edible Fruit Trees |
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MaryT says... Hello David. Yes the tree is very sick; it appears to be under attack by a pest and it's trying to fight the damage by oozing the resin. I'm no expert but first of all I see that the tree is in the middle of a healthy lawn so you must remove all the grass around it (under its canopy) as a first step and make sure that area is weed free. Next water it well (soak) then put a thick layer of organic mulch in the cleared area under the tree but not right up to the trunk (to prevent rot). A tree has a root system that needs room to grow and absorb water and nutrients and not compete with grass. Its nutrient requirements are also different to grass but before you fertilise it make sure you give it the right environment to thrive; it looks like a fighter and may survive, given a chance. If you want to replace it, I suggest a plastic tree. | About the Author MaryT Sydney 4th November 2012 7:35am #UserID: 5412 Posts: 2066 View All MaryT's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author lenn1 sydney 4th November 2012 11:18am #UserID: 7310 Posts: 23 View All lenn1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author David84 California 6th November 2012 12:28pm #UserID: 7390 Posts: 2 View All David84's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Brendan says... Hi David, try spraying the trunk with 30g copper oxychloride (tablespoon) mixed with 4½ litres (1 gallon) water plus 30ml (tablespoon or more) of a 'good' wetting agent. Spray (drench) the trunk weekly til it's gone. Should take about 4 sprays. Good luck. Don't use a soil wetter, use a spray wetter. | About the Author Brendan Mackay, Q 7th November 2012 9:27am #UserID: 1947 Posts: 1722 View All Brendan's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author MaryT Sydney 7th November 2012 3:02pm #UserID: 5412 Posts: 2066 View All MaryT's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author Brendan Mackay, Q 8th November 2012 7:38am #UserID: 1947 Posts: 1722 View All Brendan's Edible Fruit Trees |
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