The last few years our 'pit' trees have suffered from withered leaves.Apparently it is caused by a fungus.
The internet is awesome - with Google I could diagnose the root cause, get inputs from strangers all across America, and find several options for fixing it. Oh, and we ordered the chemicals online, too.
Armed with copper sulfate, hydrated lime, and a spray bottle we set out to clear our nectarine and peach trees of their fungal infestation.The recipe and cost were easy to take. Some care needed to avoid contact.
We sprayed all the trees heavily in December, and will do the same again in Feb and March, just before the new leaves appear.Obviously the peaches are slow to loose their leaves this year.
The fungiside is easy to see.
Here you can see the withered leaves from summer.
Once the new leaves appear it is too late to treat them for the fungus, so we will hopefully get rid of it before spring.
Too bad a spray won't take care of the other problem the trees face - munching deer.