Help with Peach Tree

[lbhitter]

I just purchased a home in North Carolina. I have a 3 year old Peach Tree in the front yard.

From what I have read, Peach Trees should grow in a cone shape. This tree in my yard looks pretty poor for 3yrs old, and possibly may be sick.

Please take a look at the picture and tell me what you think. Any help you can provide in caring for or nursing this tree to good health would be appreciated.

Regards
Jerry

[Paul]

It's too hard to tell from the picture that you posted. But I'll ask these questions.

Do you see dead leafs, or branches?
Is the tree dieing back or just not growing the way you wanted?
Have you pruned the tree? Or has anyone else pruned it?
Do you see bugs on the tree or cut outs on the leaf?

Next I'll add that the mulch ring around the tree looks a bit high, tho hard to tell from the picture, make sure you pull the mulch away from the trunk of the tree and have only 3" of mulch over the rest of the tree.

[lbhitter]

It is a PEAR tree, not a Peach tree.
My mistake.

It has branches that there are NO leaves on the ends of.
It doesn't have bugs.
I have not pruned it.

It just isn't growing right, and doesn't look right. For instance, my neighbor planted the same tree 3yrs ago and his is twice as big as this one and very bushy.

thanks
Jerry

[Paul]

What kind of pear tree is it? Not from around there I wonder if it's a fruit tree or just an ornamental pear, after that there are about 3 or 4 different varireties each with it's own habittes and problems. Your neighbors tree might be different from yours, as for the dead branches winter kill, poor maintance, poor branching, or damage in transplanting might have caused the problems you list. I would suggest you find a arborest in your area and have them come out to inspect the tree. At the same time they can tell you what the other plant in your yard is too.
(from here it looks like a juniper) He can also tell you how to shape it

[lbhitter]

Thanks Paul.
Jerry

[smittybros]

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT TREE COULD BE GETTING TO MUCH WATER

[Stonehenge]

Ditto what Paul said - you could have an Amur Maple that is 20' tall or one that's 4' tall, each the same age and perfectly healthy - lots of varieties of trees and shrubs, so comparing to the neighbor may not be an accurate comparison.

And their ages - while they may have been planted 3 years ago, I can guarantee yours and the other tree are older than 3 years - this may also be a areason for the difference.

I second the mulch ring - it looks humongus (sp?). Take most of that mulch off and re-apply 2-3".

And lastly, I'd also recommend calling an arborist to have a look at the tree. There are too many variables, with data being reported by someone without experience (no offense intended), for anyone to make a clear-cut diagnosis.

[NCSULandscaper]

mulch ring may not be all that big if the tree was mounded. Check to see if the root flare is buried, pear trees will decline if they are planted too deep.