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Fruit & Orchards

Wind Took Out Most of My Peach Tree

15 years ago

We had some fierce winds here today in Florida and the wind took out the top 75% of my peach tree. Pulled the stakes I had supporting it right out of the ground. Cracked the trunk in half; broke it. Only left was was one small branch. A picture is below. What do the peach tree experts out there recommend? (A) Dig it out of the ground and replace it or (B) Wait and see if it comes back.

It was loaded with fruit this year-frown.

Bill

Seminole, Florida

{{gwi:75044}}

Comments (2)

jellyman
15 years ago
Bill:

I think your tree will resprout and grow in new branches on the bare side. It will take some patience on your part, since the process may take 3 years, but if you spread out the new growth and prune out competing growth, you can build a couple of new scaffolds. You may have to guide them into place.

Normally, I favor taking out severely damaged trees, but that one still looks pretty healthy, and if you like the peaches it produces it may be worth saving.

I would probably shorten those remaining scaffolds, and would not allow them to become so long again. A more compact tree will hold up better in high winds. And, of course, never allow a peach tree to become "loaded" with fruit. That's often what takes them down. I speak from bitter experience.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
billbrandi
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Don, that is good advice. I have another peach and a nectarine nearby that weathered the winds, but they were pruned better than this peach. I'll shorten the remaining branches and wait for some new growth on the bare side.

Bill
Seminole, FL
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