Peach Tree Dying

Question

My peach tree looks like it is dying. The fruit was very small, about the size of a walnut, and the fruit fell from the tree. I have use pesticides but it didn’t help. What is wrong?

Answer 1

A few things could cause this. First, it could be a chilling issue. If a peach tree gets just a little bit too little chilling in the winter, it will button the fruit, which means that it tries to grow them, but they will be deformed, stunted or fail to mature. Since no one really had a cold winter this year, it is likely that chilling could be a factor. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-chill-hours.htm

Peach trees need to be thinned well to produce fruit. If your tree is at least 3 years old and it carries the small, immature fruit throughout the season, that may be your problem. Too much fruit will also result in premature fruit drop. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/peach/peach-tree-thinning.htm

Another possibility is that there is a problem with pollination. If this is the case though, the tree will drop the fruit in late spring or early summer. If you suspect a pollination problem, these articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/insect-pollination-process.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/creating-a-pollinator-garden.htm