Peach gummosis is a fungal disease that affects peach trees, causing them to produce a sticky, gummy substance from infected areas. While healthy trees can survive this infection, it’s important to take steps to prevent and manage the disease to protect your peach trees.

What Causes Peach Gummosis?

Peach gummosis is caused by a fungus called Botryosphaeria dothidea. The fungus enters the tree through wounds, such as those caused by insects, pruning, or natural openings called lenticels. The fungus overwinters in infected wood and debris on the ground, and its spores can be spread to healthy trees by rain, wind, or irrigation.

Symptoms of Peach Gummosis

The earliest signs of peach gummosis are small, resin-oozing spots on new bark, usually around the tree’s lenticels. Over time, the fungus kills tree tissue, resulting in sunken areas. Older infection sites become very gummy and may merge together to form larger, sunken spots. Infected bark may peel, often remaining attached at one or two points, giving the tree a rough, shaggy appearance.

Managing Peach Gummosis

Since the fungus overwinters in dead and infected debris, it’s crucial to clean up and destroy all diseased and dead wood and bark to control the disease. Proper pruning practices are also important, as the fungus infects wounds. Dead wood should be trimmed off, and cuts should be made just past the collar on a branch base. Avoid pruning in summer when wounds are more susceptible to infection.

There is no effective fungicide treatment for peach gummosis. However, healthy trees can recover from infection. To prevent the spread of the fungus and promote recovery, implement good hygiene practices and provide plenty of water and nutrients to reduce stress on affected trees.

Preventing Peach Gummosis

• Avoid wounding trees unnecessarily.
• Prune trees properly, making cuts just past the collar on a branch base.
• Avoid pruning in summer when wounds are more vulnerable to infection.
• Clean up and destroy all diseased and dead wood and bark.
• Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the fungus.
• Keep trees healthy by providing adequate water and nutrients.

Additional Tips

• Monitor your peach trees regularly for signs of gummosis.
• If you suspect gummosis, consult with a certified arborist for professional advice.
• Remove infected branches or trees promptly to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Avoid planting peach trees in areas with poor drainage, as wet conditions favor fungal growth.
• Consider using resistant peach varieties to reduce the risk of infection.

By following these tips, you can help prevent and manage peach gummosis and keep your peach trees healthy and productive.

Introduction

Armillaria peach rot, also known as peach oak rot, is a devastating fungal disease that affects peach trees and other stone fruits. This disease can be challenging to diagnose, as it often persists deep within the root system for years before visible symptoms appear. By the time symptoms do appear, the tree is typically heavily infected and difficult to treat.

What is Armillaria Peach Rot?

Armillaria peach rot is caused by a fungus that spreads through mycelium growing in the soil. The symptoms of this disease vary depending on the species of tree infected. When examining the roots of infected trees, you may observe white to yellowish, fan-shaped mycelia mats between the bark and the wood, accompanied by a distinct mushroom-like aroma.

The fungus spreads through stands of trees via rhizomorphs, which resemble rhizomes. These dark brown to black rhizomorphs can sometimes be seen on the root surface. The fungus survives on these rhizomorphs and in both dead and living roots.

Symptoms of Armillaria Peach Rot

Above-ground symptoms of Armillaria peach rot initially manifest as wilted, limp foliage, often with upper limbs dying back. As the disease progresses, the tree may experience stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and eventually death.

How to Control Armillaria Peach Rot

Unfortunately, there is no absolute cure for Armillaria peach rot. However, there are several management strategies that can help control the disease and minimize its impact on peach trees.

Cultural Controls

• Avoid planting peaches in areas where oaks have recently been cleared or where there is a history of the disease.
• Remove infected trees and stumps promptly to prevent the spread of the fungus.
• Dig trenches around infected trees and line them with plastic tarping to prevent healthy tree roots from coming into contact with infected ones.
• Expose the upper roots and crown of infected trees to the air during the growing season to slow the progression of the disease.

Chemical Controls

• Fumigation can be used to control Armillaria peach rot, but it is a costly and often ineffective process.
• Prior to fumigating, remove all infected trees, roots, and stumps as much as possible, including adjacent trees that may be infected.
• Fumigate during the summer or early fall.

Maintaining Tree Health

Maintaining the overall health of peach trees is crucial for preventing and managing Armillaria peach rot. Avoid stressing or injuring trees, as weakened trees are more susceptible to disease. Proper watering, fertilization, and pruning practices can help keep trees healthy and resilient.

Conclusion

Armillaria peach rot is a serious disease that can significantly impact peach production. By understanding the disease, its symptoms, and control measures, growers can take proactive steps to protect their trees and mitigate the effects of this devastating disease.

What is Peach Brown Rot?

Peach brown rot is a fungal infection that can ruin your peach harvest. It’s caused by a fungus called Monilinia fructicola. The fungus infects peach trees in two ways:

1. During blossoming: The fungus infects the flowers, causing them to develop brown spots and die quickly. You may also see dusty fungal growth on the dead flowers and cankers (sores) on the twigs.
2. During fruit ripening: The fungus can also infect peaches as they ripen, especially if there was fungal growth on the flowers and twigs earlier in the season. Infected peaches will develop brown spots that spread rapidly, rotting the entire fruit in just a few days. Eventually, the peach will shrivel up and fall to the ground.

How to Control Peach Brown Rot

There are several things you can do to control peach brown rot and protect your harvest:

1. Use Fungicides

Fungicides can be used to treat brown rot on peach trees. Myclobutanil and Captan are two commonly used fungicides.

2. Preventative Measures

• Avoid overhead watering: Water on the petals and twigs can help the fungus spread. Instead, water at the base of the tree.
• Thin your trees: Good airflow helps the trees dry out after rains, which makes it harder for the fungus to grow.
• Remove infected fruit: Any fruit that shows signs of brown rot should be removed from the tree and destroyed.
• Clean up your orchard: In the fall, after harvesting your peaches, clean up any fallen fruit and remove any diseased twigs.
• Control wild plums: Wild plums can be a source of brown rot infection. If you have wild plums near your orchard, remove them to reduce the risk of infection.

3. Other Control Methods

• Water bath treatment: Studies have shown that immersing infected peaches in water at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 60 seconds can significantly reduce decay.
• Cold storage: Store peaches in cold temperatures to slow down the growth of the fungus.

Tips for Identifying and Managing Peach Brown Rot

• Look for brown spots on the flowers, twigs, and fruit.
• Check for dusty fungal growth on dead flowers and cankers.
• Remove and destroy any infected fruit or twigs.
• Keep your trees well-maintained with good airflow and drainage.
• Avoid overwatering, especially during the spring when the trees are blossoming.
• If you have a history of brown rot in your orchard, consider using fungicides as a preventative measure.

By following these tips, you can help control peach brown rot and protect your peach harvest.