Peach Tree

[huronscoot]

We just bought this home last August and we have a peach tree in our backyard. It has grown pretty wild so I know I have to prune it. Any tips or can someone point me to a website that I can learn from?

The tree did bear fruit last year but it was small and almost every peach had a worn in it. I also noticed that when it rained the tree was covered in some kind of slimy clear stuff that was really gross looking. Any idea what it was?

What preps do I have to do now that it is spring? Should I spray? With what? What about fertilizer?? Is there something I can apply to prevent another worm infestation?

Thanks in advance.

[leera]

Any tree pruning should be done in late winter while the tree is dormant.

Consult a good book on fruit trees it sounds like the tree may have more than one problem going on.

[CarolAnn]

The slime may be sap from a peach borer.
You will need to spray - probably several times, and SOON, if it's not already too late.

Look up Bordeaux spray - I think that's what they call one of the more natural mixtures.

I finally gave up on peaches in Arkansas - my trees picked up brown rot fungus and I never got them sprayed enough or in time. It was heartbreaking to have lovely big peaches suddenly rot - right before they got ripe!

Good luck, because there is NOTHING better than a fresh, tree-ripened peach! Those cardboard imitations in the grocery store aren't even close cousins!