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Fruit & Orchards

Dying Apricot Tree

16 years ago

Hi--

Last summer, I accidentally switched the sprinkler timer for my apricot tree from 10 min. a day to 25. I didn't realize this had happened til I looked and saw the leaves drooping. I then saw the ground was of course saturated. I turned the water completely off for two weeks.

There are other tress and flowers served by that sprinkler, so I had to turn it back on, but this time, only five min. a day.

Unfortunately, that although everything else was healthy, the apricot got worse, eventually dropping its leaves, or having them turn brown and die.

I was assured, and can see for myself, that the now bare branches are still supple, so the tree is not dead. I thought it would come back in the spring, but it hasn't. And even though I maintain the watering to openly 5 min. a day even in the heat of the summer (I'm afraid everything else will die if I lessen it), the apricot still isn't showing any signs of returning.

In fact, it looks like some of the branches are now dying back.

The tree is still young, maybe 8-9 years at most.

Is there anything that can be done?

All My Best,

Jeffrey

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Comments (3)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
16 years ago
Jeffrey: If this tree has had no leaves for almost a yr, it is time to think about planting a new one. Perhaps you need to also think about improving the drainage so this doesn't happen again. Perhaps it needs to be planted on a raised bed unless you have a better drained location.

The Fruitnut
rlinsurf
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi, fruitnut--

Yes, I know. But this was the first tree I planted here, and it's very precious to me.

If there's some way to save it, I'd be very grateful.

All My Best,
Jeffrey
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They are all on different rootstocks, so that's not the problem. At first I suspected the dormant oil had "sealed in" the pathogen, because it was the first time I had ever tried applying that spray. But looking at the local garden stores, a LOT of their potted and bare-root apricots either have dying branches or are also dead. So I think somehow it is just a bad year for it. Or maybe the dormant oil is the culprit. I don't know. I just know I am watching my precious and rare apricot collection going going gone, now that the whole trees are collapsing and not just a couple of branches. Not all of them, so far at least--I still have my Orangered and Robada trees, and my Nicole I bought last year is doing great. And my Katie/Tomcot/Royal Rosa combination trees have only lost a couple of branches so far. I rarely hope for the heat to set in, because I like it in the 60's, but this year I am glad for my trees we are forecast for the 80's today! Carla in Sac PS Can anyone tell me how to post more than one photo here?
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I'm not sure you have canker there. Those kinds of major splits I have only seen in extreme temperature swings, say it was 80F one day then down to 20F the next. When trees get physically damaged they can produce a lot of sap. It also makes them more susceptible to canker. In any case there isn't anything to do but prune out dead bits and see if it recovers. I would think back to see if there was a big temperature swing sometime last winter as that may have done it. Scott
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valberry: Watering 1-2x a week won't begin to work here. I need to water potted trees every day. And my trees are in a greenhouse with some shade. So I think you need to water much more. Also you probably need to repot this winter. If you don't get enough chilling it really doesn't matter. You might want to start over with something adapted to your climate. Check with the Orange county chapter of the CA Rare Fruit Growers, CRFG. If you don't find variety recommendations there check for the San Diego chapter. Here is a link that might be useful: CRFG Orange county
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I think zone 4 might be a bit iffy for apricots unless you give them some extra protection. They do not like wet feet, so I agree with fruitnut. Apricots and peaches also do not like to get their leaves wet too often. They seem to have an endless lists of fungal diseases that just need a bit of damp to grow. Pears shouldn't have any problem with zone 4 and you could probably find a root stock and variety of pear that would be more tolerant of wet conditions, especially if you plant them in raised beds, as advised. Really, you are going to have to get an accurate identification of what diseases your trees are getting, because you can put the trees onto spray programs that will help control a lot of diseases. Also, only buy from reputable nurseries. Check garden watchdog before doing business with any nursery. I suggest that you do not buy trees from the big box stores.
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jellyman
16 years ago
Jeffrey:

The Fruitnut would like to give you better news. I would like to give you better news. But the truth is, your tree is toast. Plant a new one. You can grow to love a new tree.

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