Stone fruit trees are the redshirts of the desert garden, and it's a challenge to grow them here.. Peach trees only live 8-10 years, and nectarines usually lead even shorter lives. This dwarf nectarine and Desert Gold peach are probably that old, and have also undergone considerable stress during pond renovations to this area. I've concluded the nectarine is dead, and we'll replace it this spring, probably with a younger Desert Gold peach. The old one is showing definite signs of weakening as it has lost several branches and is leafing out poorly.
I'm also concerned about our oldest apricot tree, the one that yielded so many jars of apricot preserves last summer. It has yet to flower or leaf out, while a younger apricot tree is already setting fruit. The twigs are still supple and the wood is green, so we haven't entirely given up hope for its survival, although I'm not optimistic at this point.
It's always a little depressing when things die, especially trees I have known for many years. As I dig up Bermuda grass which has no right to live in Mike's strawberry patch, I feel a bit like Jonah after his gourd vine shriveled up today. A tree is just a tree, and yet...
If you're interested in trying to grow stone fruits in the low desert, here are are links to a couple of resources:
Master Gardener Citrus and Deciduous Fruit Tree publication
Greg Peterson article on fruit trees
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