Hi, our dwarf peach tree has been a great producer but earlier this year the leaves all fell off on one side of the tree early. I then noticed the trunk had a jelly like substance the colour of apricot jam on it. Now that it is starting to flower we only have one branch from the truck coming into both leaf and flower at the same time. The rest appears dead. Is there anything we can do to save it, please? What would have caused this to happen. We live in Richmond, Nelson.

Hi Theresa, it sounds like the tree has a bacterial canker, the jelly substance is called gummosis. As only one side of the tree is bursting into flower and leaf, it is likely to be a bacterial infection, which is prevalent in cooler wet weather when buds are emerging, bacterial canker cause branches to die-back. The disease overwinters in buds and bark of the tree, the photos show there is still some mummified fruit on the tree from last season which can also harbour disease. In spring when the weather is cool and wet the bacteria is spread by rain, the infection would have been there from last season if the leaves dropped prematurely. Emerging buds give an opening for infection to enter the plant, as well as cuts using unclean cutting tools. Use clean, sharp cutting tools, clean the tools thoroughly after each use with methylated spirits to prevent the disease spreading. Avoid overhead watering, water around the base of the tree, make sure the tree is regularly watered in the growing season, mulched and fertilised to keep it actively growing. The tree looks like it would benefit from a prune, the best time to prune is in late summer when fruiting has finished, thin out branches to improve air flow through and around the tree, seal wounds with a water based paint or a specialty pruning paste. Apply a copper based fungicide spray in spring and autumn. Avoid fertilising the tree late in summer, as new growth does not have time to harden off before winter and so is more susceptible to disease. You can try and save the tree by removing the infected branches approximately 10cm below the die-back, to healthy wood. If the trunk of the tree has the gummosis, the tree may not be salvageable, and may need to be removed. By leaving the tree to see if it recovers, there is a greater chance of the disease spreading. Lianne.