Fruit trees are a beautiful and rewarding addition to any Arlington, TX landscape. Whether you're cultivating apples, peaches, pears, or plums, these trees offer not only aesthetic value but also fresh, homegrown produce. However, fruit trees are also prone to a variety of diseases, especially in North Texas, where humidity, temperature swings, and heavy clay soils create the perfect storm for fungal, bacterial, and pest issues.
If you’ve been frustrated by wilting leaves, blemished fruit, or sudden tree dieback, you’re not alone. But with proper care and disease prevention strategies, your orchard can thrive for years to come.
Common Diseases Affecting Fruit Trees in Arlington
Fruit trees in our region face specific threats. Knowing what to watch for can help you act quickly:
1. Fire Blight
A fast-spreading bacterial disease that causes blackened, scorched-looking branches—especially in apples and pears. Infected blossoms and twigs turn brown or black and die back rapidly.
2. Brown Rot
A fungal infection common in stone fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines. It begins as small brown spots on fruit, which quickly expand into soft, rotting areas covered in spores.
3. Apple Scab
Causes olive-green spots on leaves and fruit, leading to premature leaf drop and misshapen, cracked fruit. It overwinters in fallen leaves, so sanitation is critical.
4. Peach Leaf Curl
Affects new leaves, which become thickened, curled, and reddish. It weakens the tree over time, reducing yield and vigor.
Our comprehensive tree care services are built to manage these and other fruit tree diseases with early intervention and customized treatment plans.
Soil, Irrigation, and Drainage: Your First Line of Defense
Healthy roots = healthy fruit. That means starting with proper soil structure and irrigation practices.
- Avoid overwatering — soggy soil creates anaerobic conditions that suffocate roots and encourage root rot.
- Use mulch to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and block weed growth.
- Ensure proper drainage — fruit trees hate wet feet. Avoid planting in low-lying areas where water pools.
Our moisture management services help you strike the right balance between hydration and aeration, especially in Arlington’s unpredictable rainfall cycles.
A Seasonal Maintenance Plan for Fruit Tree Health
Following a year-round maintenance schedule helps reduce disease pressure and build tree resilience:
Winter (Dormant Season)
- Apply dormant oil to control overwintering pests like scale, aphids, and mites.
- Prune branches to improve air circulation and remove diseased wood.
- Sanitize tools between cuts to prevent the spread of bacteria and fungi.
Spring
- Watch for early disease symptoms as new growth emerges.
- Apply copper-based fungicides to control early infections like peach leaf curl.
- Feed your trees with nitrogen-rich fertilizers for strong early growth.
Summer
- Thin fruit to improve airflow and reduce strain on branches.
- Monitor for pests such as fruit borers and Japanese beetles.
- Irrigate consistently, especially during drought periods.
Fall
- Remove fallen leaves and fruit, which can harbor pathogens through winter.
- Apply compost or mulch to prepare roots for cooler weather.
Nutritional Support for Disease Resistance
Nutrient-deficient trees are more susceptible to disease. A balanced, deep-root feeding regimen in spring and fall builds long-term tree health. We recommend:
- Slow-release, organic-based fertilizers
- Micronutrients like zinc, iron, and manganese
- Calcium to reduce fruit cracking and improve cell wall strength
Our advanced tree injection systems deliver nutrients and disease-control compounds directly into the tree’s vascular system, bypassing poor soil conditions for immediate results.
Choosing Disease-Resistant Varieties
Not all fruit trees are created equal. When planting new trees, consider cultivars that are naturally resistant to local threats:
- ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Liberty’ apples resist apple scab and fire blight
- ‘Redhaven’ peaches show good resistance to leaf curl and brown rot
- ‘Methley’ plums are hardy and productive with minimal disease issues
A knowledgeable arborist or local nursery can guide you to the best selections for your property.
Signs It’s Time to Call a Professional
While early action can often resolve minor issues, you should contact an expert if you see:
- Rapid dieback of limbs or entire trees
- Oozing sap or sunken cankers on the bark
- Large sections of leaves curling or dropping prematurely
- Recurrent problems season after season despite proper care
Our certified arborists can inspect your trees, test soil health, and recommend targeted treatments to save stressed or infected trees.
Integrated Pest and Disease Management
Disease prevention isn't just about treatments—it's about creating a healthy ecosystem where fruit trees can thrive. Our integrated approach includes:
- Cultural practices like pruning, thinning, and cleanup
- Biological control using beneficial insects and natural predators
- Targeted chemical applications only when necessary
All our treatments are family-safe, environmentally conscious, and tailored to the Arlington climate.
Trust Trees Hurt Too Inc. for Expert Fruit Tree Care
Whether you have a single backyard peach tree or a mini-orchard of apples and plums, we’ll help you protect and preserve your investment. Our team offers:
- Disease diagnosis and treatment
- Organic and conventional fertilization
- Soil and drainage assessments
- Seasonal pruning and growth monitoring
- Pest management and dormant oil application
We understand the unique growing conditions in Arlington and develop proactive plans that work.
Your Healthy Orchard Starts Here
The key to productive, resilient fruit trees is prevention. Let Trees Hurt Too Inc. provide the knowledge, tools, and treatments you need to grow an orchard that produces year after year.
Contact us today for a complete tree care evaluation. Whether you're planting new fruit trees or trying to save established ones, we’ll build a disease-prevention strategy tailored to your soil, climate, and property goals.
