Peach Gummosis: A Fungal Disease of Peach Trees
Peach gummosis is a fungal disease that affects peach trees, causing them to produce a sticky, gummy substance from infected areas. While healthy trees can survive this infection, it’s important to take steps to prevent and manage the disease to protect your peach trees.
What Causes Peach Gummosis?
Peach gummosis is caused by a fungus called Botryosphaeria dothidea. The fungus enters the tree through wounds, such as those caused by insects, pruning, or natural openings called lenticels. The fungus overwinters in infected wood and debris on the ground, and its spores can be spread to healthy trees by rain, wind, or irrigation.
Symptoms of Peach Gummosis
The earliest signs of peach gummosis are small, resin-oozing spots on new bark, usually around the tree’s lenticels. Over time, the fungus kills tree tissue, resulting in sunken areas. Older infection sites become very gummy and may merge together to form larger, sunken spots. Infected bark may peel, often remaining attached at one or two points, giving the tree a rough, shaggy appearance.
Managing Peach Gummosis
Since the fungus overwinters in dead and infected debris, it’s crucial to clean up and destroy all diseased and dead wood and bark to control the disease. Proper pruning practices are also important, as the fungus infects wounds. Dead wood should be trimmed off, and cuts should be made just past the collar on a branch base. Avoid pruning in summer when wounds are more susceptible to infection.
There is no effective fungicide treatment for peach gummosis. However, healthy trees can recover from infection. To prevent the spread of the fungus and promote recovery, implement good hygiene practices and provide plenty of water and nutrients to reduce stress on affected trees.
Preventing Peach Gummosis
- Avoid wounding trees unnecessarily.
- Prune trees properly, making cuts just past the collar on a branch base.
- Avoid pruning in summer when wounds are more vulnerable to infection.
- Clean up and destroy all diseased and dead wood and bark.
- Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the fungus.
- Keep trees healthy by providing adequate water and nutrients.
Additional Tips
- Monitor your peach trees regularly for signs of gummosis.
- If you suspect gummosis, consult with a certified arborist for professional advice.
- Remove infected branches or trees promptly to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Avoid planting peach trees in areas with poor drainage, as wet conditions favor fungal growth.
- Consider using resistant peach varieties to reduce the risk of infection.
By following these tips, you can help prevent and manage peach gummosis and keep your peach trees healthy and productive.
