We have a problem with our peach tree which i had to cut a few branches because they were dead
Hello @Dorin88
Thanks for sharing your question about your peach tree. Since we’re now in the middle of autumn and only about four weeks away from the official start of winter, your peach tree is naturally starting to wind down into dormancy. You’ve done the right thing by removing the dead branches now. To help protect the tree through the colder, wetter months, I recommend sealing the pruning cuts with Steri-Prune 250g Pruning Spray Paint from Bunnings. This will help prevent moisture and fungal infections getting into the fresh wounds.
Because the tree’s growth is slowing right down, it’s best to avoid any strong fertilising at this stage. Instead, you can gently improve the soil by lightly top-dressing around the base with something like Richgro Black Marvel Garden Soil Improver, which adds organic matter without pushing new soft growth that could be damaged by cold.
To protect the roots and maintain soil health over winter, spreading Oreco 26m2 Sweet Garden Sugar Cane Mulch around the base (making sure to keep it a few centimetres away from the trunk) is a really good idea. It will help keep the soil temperature more stable and also suppress weeds.
Since fungal problems like peach leaf curl often start developing during the cooler, wetter months, you could also consider spraying the tree with Yates Liquid Copper Fungicide soon while the tree still has minimal foliage, and again at bud swell in early spring, to give the tree a strong clean start.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
I'm worried about cutting off the wrong branches and at wrong angle!
Late winter is the perfect time to properly prune your peach tree to set it up for a healthy, productive spring. Here’s a friendly guide using Bunnings products you can find easily.
First, wait until late winter, just before the tree starts to bud (around late July to early August depending on your region). You want the worst of the cold weather to have passed so you don’t stress the tree too much. Start by grabbing a sharp, clean pair of Fiskars Bypass Secateurs for smaller branches and Fiskars Telescopic Tree Pruner if you need to reach any higher or thicker limbs. Always disinfect your tools before you start DIGGERS 125ml Isopropyl Alcohol - 125ml is perfect for this to help prevent spreading disease. Please remember to spray your tools with WD-40 400g Specialist Lawn & Garden General Use Lubricant when storing your tools.
When pruning, aim to create an open, vase-like shape with three to five strong main branches coming out from the trunk. This shape improves air circulation and lets sunlight reach into the middle of the tree, which helps with fruit ripening and disease prevention. Remove any weak, crossing, crowded, or inward-growing branches completely.
You should also trim back the ends of the healthy branches by about one-third to encourage strong new growth. Always make your cuts just above a bud that faces outward to guide the new growth away from the centre of the tree.
Hi when is the right time to start spraying the peach tree? I noticed some buds are starting to peak out!
If your peach tree is just starting to show swelling buds in late July, I'd probably hold off just a little longer. Across much of Australia, August can still bring some very cold weather, and you don't want to spray too early if the tree is still mostly dormant.
The ideal time for a copper fungicide and horticultural oil spray is usually at late dormancy to very early bud swell, often called the "pink bud" stage for peaches, before the flowers open. If the buds are only just beginning to plump up and show the first signs of movement, I'd keep an eye on them over the next week or two. Once they're clearly swelling but before the blossoms start opening, that's generally the sweet spot.
If you're spraying to help prevent leaf curl, timing is especially important. A thorough spray just before bud burst is much more effective than spraying after the leaves have emerged. If you miss that window and the leaves are already unfolding, unfortunately the spray won't protect the new growth that season.
So, at the moment, I'd simply keep watching your tree. With August still ahead, there's a good chance you'll have another opportunity before the buds fully open. Pick a calm, dry day when no rain is expected for at least 24 hours, and give the entire tree, including the branches and trunk a thorough coverage.
Hopefully the weather cooperates, and you'll be rewarded with a healthy flush of leaves and plenty of delicious peaches later in the season! Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.
Unfortunately The weather in Melbourne is unpredictable the weekend is cold monday is the only good day Tuesday it going to rain and the next day is a little bit of rain
I still advise waiting and keeping an eye on your peach tree. It would be a shame to spray the plant, and the rain falls onto it. It would wash all the spray away. You'll need to be vigilant and look at the weather reports when there will be a series of sunny days.
