First tree IS PLC. Minorly affected. And some nitrogen deficiency. Fertilize and spray more during the dormant season. One of my nectarines, 'Desert Delight' does this, despite getting sprayed. It often misses the last spraying, as it breaks bud first of all my stone fruits. Not sure about the large split down the trunk - could be due to irregular watering, could be disease related. Tree 2: Not sure that's bacterial canker. Water, fertilize with a higher nitrogen fertilizer and mulch under the tree (keeping the mulch away from the trunk of course). Let's see if we can save the tree, first. Send your photos to your local Master Gardeners or extension office, and let's see what they have to say. Keep us posted. Patty S.

Problem solved. :) Ignore post. This post was edited by Joshiraku on Wed, Jun 4, 14 at 2:51

Drew- My soil is clayish, and is heavy but I get good run off (when it does rain) from the trenches that I have dug on both sides of trees. Kind of a terrace style so water logging has not been an issue. I will pull mulch back from the trees in our little rainy season. Here we have not gotten any rain in months. I have set up drip systems for all my trees but the older ones (like the tree in question) barely get watered. I have watered maybe 4 times this season (Since them breaking dormancy). They are covered in a 4-6" layer of horse manure and wood chips. Just dug down in the soil a couple of days ago to make sure there was still moisture and there was plenty. Our land was horse property so that is why I was thinking maybe high phosphates maybe the cause but wouldn't the other trees show similar stress? I have also not fertilized except for the horse manure that I put around the trees in the spring but again wouldn't this also affect the others as well? I would also figure that this tree would be on Nemaguard or Lovell rootstock coming from HD. I have many other trees on those rootstocks closely planted that received the same level of care. I should also mention that I see no signs of pests, canker or wood disease on the tree. There is some discoloration on the branches shown in the pics (Yellowing and spots similar to the leaves). I am stumped as to why this is happening again. I thought last years problem was over when it leafed out this year and looked great (I even had to summer prune). Could the pruning have anything to do with it? I didn't prune harshly just cleaned up the middle and cut back size by about 2 feet. Would a soil test be worth it? Fertilize like Gator mentioned and see what happens? This pic is a tree 15' from it on Nemaguard in its 2nd summer.

No, I don't think so. I got this tree last year as a ball & burlap from someone who didn't want it, so I doubt they applied anything to that spot, and I know I haven't. It is possible that one of those colored strips of plastic that nurseries wrap around trees was in that place, though. I should also mention that the bark discoloration is only in the immediate area around the split, and doesn't go all the way around the trunk.