Small Fruit

Question

The fruit on my peach and plum trees are not growing. Once they get almost half mature size, they quit. What’s the problem?

Answer 1

A few things could cause this. First, it could be a chilling issue. If the trees get 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.

Another possibility is that there is a problem with pollination. If this is the case though, the trees would 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

Finally, most fruit trees need to be pruned and 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.