Is There A Brown Rot On Your Peach Tree? 5 Tips To Keep Other Plants Safe

Brown rot is a common fungal disease that targets stone fruit trees—especially peaches—and it can quickly spread if not dealt with properly. If you’ve spotted signs like browning blossoms, rotting fruit, or cankers on branches, your peach tree may be infected. It’s important to act fast not just to save your tree (if possible), but also to prevent the spread to nearby plants. 

Here are five essential tips to help you contain the issue and protect the rest of your garden.

Prune and Remove Infected Areas Immediately

One of the first and most effective ways to slow the spread of brown rot is to remove all infected fruit, twigs, and branches. Prune at least 8–10 inches below the visibly infected area using sanitized tools. 

Dispose of the debris away from your garden—never compost it, as the fungal spores can survive and come back stronger. Regular pruning of dead or weak branches also increases airflow and reduces the damp conditions that fungus loves.

Hire a Tree Removal Service if the Tree Is Too Far Gone

If your peach tree is severely infected and showing signs of collapse—such as widespread dieback, structural weakness, or repeated annual infections—it might be time to remove it entirely. Hiring a tree removal service is the safest and most effective way to do this. 

Professionals can assess the damage, remove the tree safely, and dispose of all infected parts in compliance with local regulations. Attempting to cut down a diseased tree on your own can be risky, and if you miss any part of the rot, it may spread to healthy trees nearby.

Consult Professional Tree Services for Long-Term Prevention

Even after removing an infected tree, it’s wise to bring in professional tree services to assess the surrounding plants and soil conditions. Arborists can test your soil for lingering fungal spores and recommend treatments such as fungicidal sprays or improved irrigation practices. 

They can also help you select disease-resistant fruit tree varieties if you plan to replant. Ongoing monitoring and expert advice will help you maintain a healthier, more resilient landscape.

Keep Your Garden Clean and Tidy

Fungal diseases like brown rot thrive on fallen leaves, fruit, and moist, shaded conditions. Keep the area around your peach trees clean by regularly raking up fallen debris. 

Thin out dense plantings to improve air circulation and reduce the chances of infection spreading between plants. A tidy garden is not only visually pleasing but also much less inviting to disease.

Use Preventative Fungicides

Fungicidal sprays can help protect both infected and healthy trees when used correctly and at the right times—typically during bloom and fruit set stages. 

Choose products specifically labeled for brown rot and follow the instructions carefully. Be consistent with application, especially during wet weather when fungal spores are most active.

Conclusion

Brown rot can be devastating to peach trees, but with quick action and smart prevention, you can stop it from destroying your entire garden. Whether it’s hiring professional removal service for infected trees or using trusted services to manage the health of your plants, proactive care is key to protecting your green space.