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Fruit & Orchards

Dead Peach and Pear?

9 years ago

Hello All,

Was hoping to get some advice from the experts. here is my situation:

November of 2013 I ordered/planted 4 trees from Starks.
1 Blushingstar peach dwarf
1 Redhaven peach dwarf
1 Bartlett pear dwarf
1 Starking delicious pear dwarf

In the spring 2 trees greened up, 2 did not. Unfortunately I did not label the trees (duh!) so I do not know what variety they are. I know one peach and one pear died(?) but I do not know the variety of each tree. Lesson learned the hard way!

Both dead(?) trees have growth from below the graft line.

Questions are:
1) Are the two dead trees really dead? Should I just let them go and see what happens?
2) Should I prune the growth below the graft line and wait? Or just rip the entire tree out?
3) Is there anyway to tell variety without fruit?
4) Assuming I rip them out, what variety should I replace them with?

I did some looking into the pear trees and it seems Moonglow is a good pollinator for both Bartlett and Starking delicious, so I can't go wrong with that either way.

Peach trees are both self pollinating so does it really matter?

Many thanks for any advice.

M.D.A

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Comments (2)

marknmt
9 years ago
I'll take a shot at it.

1. "Tree" is not dead, but everything above the graft is. I would let them grow.

2. So do not rip out the tree. Prune to a single vigorous vertical shoot. Graft to that shoot in the spring. ( Relatively easy on the pear, less so on the peach.)

3. Even with fruit telling variety may be difficult, but it's fun to try either way. Pictures would help.

4. As to variety find out from local enthusiasts what does well in your area. But be careful about business' suggestions, especially big box stores.

Good luck,

Mark
curtis
9 years ago
It may not be too late to get replacements under warranty. Call Stark and talk to them. you can tell by leaves if peach or pear. Peaches do not need a mate, pears do. If you have one pear get a 3rd variety that is compatible with either of what you started with. Lots of good varieties of both, so don't be hung up on your original selections.
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