Not a bad idea. I might have waited until the tree went dormant before cutting off the higher limb and then those few good branches at the top could be cleft grafted or wedge grafted to the same tree. I've studied grafting for a while and did my first graft (drill grafted dormant plum to peach. Buds are greening and growing out. Looks like it will be a success.
Both could be worth trying for sure. I had hoped to get some buds/scions from it this spring to graft a few backup trees, but it looks like the whole tree may have given up on me. I saved some pits though, so if they sprout, we should be covered.
I have an 11/12 year old Ranger thats very big (14 x 14) but didn't produce any peaches last year and this year only has a few tiny peaches on it may 5th. I think it might be too old and needs to be replaced?
It's certainly possible, but at least in my climate we deal with a lot of spring freezes around the time that ours are blooming. That can kill a whole year's crop in a single night. I'm also in zone 5b, so a very cold winter night at our lower limit (-20F) can kill fruit buds as well. If the overall tree structure looks healthy and it is growing vigorously, you might just wait to see what another year brings. It also won't hurt to graft some cuttings from it to another rootstock or save pits from the fruit you do get this year to try and grow a new tree. Best of luck!
I'm in north Texas. I'm thinking about EXTREME pruning the tree by cutting back a lot of the outer limbs (shortening) and hopefully new growth will fill the interior of the tree with new growth and fruiting wood. 2 years ago the tree produced about 200 peaches.
The jug is a bug trap filled with molasses and apple cider vinegar. I use it to kill harmful insects like moths as they are attracted to the smell and can't fly out if they land in it.
Hope the haircut will help the tree become productive in years to come!
How is this tree doing now !?
I would "bandage" that crack the same way you would a graft.
It will need to be large so I don't girdle it, but that could definitely help!
Curious about how this tree is doing now :)
I would air-layer that healthy middle branch and use it to start over.
Not a bad idea. I might have waited until the tree went dormant before cutting off the higher limb and then those few good branches at the top could be cleft grafted or wedge grafted to the same tree. I've studied grafting for a while and did my first graft (drill grafted dormant plum to peach. Buds are greening and growing out. Looks like it will be a success.
Both could be worth trying for sure. I had hoped to get some buds/scions from it this spring to graft a few backup trees, but it looks like the whole tree may have given up on me. I saved some pits though, so if they sprout, we should be covered.
I have an 11/12 year old Ranger thats very big (14 x 14) but didn't produce any peaches last year and this year only has a few tiny peaches on it may 5th. I think it might be too old and needs to be replaced?
It's certainly possible, but at least in my climate we deal with a lot of spring freezes around the time that ours are blooming. That can kill a whole year's crop in a single night. I'm also in zone 5b, so a very cold winter night at our lower limit (-20F) can kill fruit buds as well. If the overall tree structure looks healthy and it is growing vigorously, you might just wait to see what another year brings. It also won't hurt to graft some cuttings from it to another rootstock or save pits from the fruit you do get this year to try and grow a new tree. Best of luck!
I'm in north Texas. I'm thinking about EXTREME pruning the tree by cutting back a lot of the outer limbs (shortening) and hopefully new growth will fill the interior of the tree with new growth and fruiting wood. 2 years ago the tree produced about 200 peaches.
You can absolutely be aggressive on the pruning as long as you leave enough of the canopy intact so that the leaves can keep the tree cool. Good luck!
Ok thanks.The tree is in pretty good health otherwise.
What is in the jug you have hanging on the tree?
The jug is a bug trap filled with molasses and apple cider vinegar. I use it to kill harmful insects like moths as they are attracted to the smell and can't fly out if they land in it.
Thank you. I am not bothered by flying insects.
What paint is used?
I used white interior latex paint.