I've tried twice to grow an apricot tree bought each time from a
reputable nursery. And each time they died within two or three years of
being planted with exactly the same symptoms, that is, they burst into
leaf in the spring but within a few weeks the leaves suddenly became
limp and the trees showed no further sign of life.

I planted the first tree about twenty years ago when we first bought
this cottage in Normandy. I put it near the end of a row of vines, in a
sunny position, and free-standing.

I planted the second tree in the same garden two or three years ago
against a south-west facing wall where it would benefit from the warmth.

Was something eating the roots? I don't think so as the roots didn't
show any sign of damage. Was it frost? Don't think so as nothing else
suffered. But why did they both grow away vigorously in the first flush
of spring only keel over (metaphorically speaking) just a few weeks
later?

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

David

--
David Rance writing from Le Mesnil Villement, Calvados, France

On Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:26:28 +0100, David Rance wrote:

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

David

My guess (and it is only a guess) would be peach-leaf curl.

In message , Derek Turner
writes

On Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:26:28 +0100, David Rance wrote:

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

My guess (and it is only a guess) would be peach-leaf curl.

No, I've seen peach leaf curl and it doesn't look anything like that.

David

--
David Rance writing from Le Mesnil Villement, Calvados, France

"Derek Turner" wrote
David Rance wrote:

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.



My guess (and it is only a guess) would be peach-leaf curl.


But would that kill a tree straight away? Usually it takes some years to get
the better of the tree.

How about Honey Fungus? Any signs like orange pimples on the bark?

Our apricot tree lasted years and then it had two fruit on it, one each, the
next year we went on holiday and it got stuck by lightening. Cheaper to buy
the apricots. That said they grow them along the street in Aynho near
Banbury or they had to when the Squire owned all the houses. (He loved
apricots).
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

On 26/06/2013 16:26, David Rance wrote:
I've tried twice to grow an apricot tree bought each time from a
reputable nursery. And each time they died within two or three years of
being planted with exactly the same symptoms, that is, they burst into
leaf in the spring but within a few weeks the leaves suddenly became
limp and the trees showed no further sign of life.

I planted the first tree about twenty years ago when we first bought
this cottage in Normandy. I put it near the end of a row of vines, in a
sunny position, and free-standing.

I planted the second tree in the same garden two or three years ago
against a south-west facing wall where it would benefit from the warmth.

Was something eating the roots? I don't think so as the roots didn't
show any sign of damage. Was it frost? Don't think so as nothing else
suffered. But why did they both grow away vigorously in the first flush
of spring only keel over (metaphorically speaking) just a few weeks
later?

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

Graft failure.

--

Jeff

In message , Bob Hobden
writes

"Derek Turner" wrote

David Rance wrote:

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

My guess (and it is only a guess) would be peach-leaf curl.

How about Honey Fungus? Any signs like orange pimples on the bark?

No, the bark looks quite normal.

I've just had another look at the tree and notice that just one small
side shoot growing from above the graft is still alive. I don't hold out
much hope for it, though.

Our apricot tree lasted years and then it had two fruit on it, one
each, the next year we went on holiday and it got stuck by lightening.
Cheaper to buy the apricots.

I think you're right! A great pity as I love apricots.

Anyway, thanks to all who have responded, but I'm not sure I'm any
nearer discovering what the problem is.

David

--
David Rance writing from Le Mesnil Villement, Calvados, France

On 26/06/13 17:52, Derek Turner wrote:
On Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:26:28 +0100, David Rance wrote:

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

My guess (and it is only a guess) would be peach-leaf curl.

Not that.Three of mine have done the same, and they were about nine feet
high.

--
Rusty Hinge

On 26/06/13 18:57, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 26/06/2013 16:26, David Rance wrote:
I've tried twice to grow an apricot tree bought each time from a
reputable nursery. And each time they died within two or three years of
being planted with exactly the same symptoms, that is, they burst into
leaf in the spring but within a few weeks the leaves suddenly became
limp and the trees showed no further sign of life.

I planted the first tree about twenty years ago when we first bought
this cottage in Normandy. I put it near the end of a row of vines, in a
sunny position, and free-standing.

I planted the second tree in the same garden two or three years ago
against a south-west facing wall where it would benefit from the warmth.

Was something eating the roots? I don't think so as the roots didn't
show any sign of damage. Was it frost? Don't think so as nothing else
suffered. But why did they both grow away vigorously in the first flush
of spring only keel over (metaphorically speaking) just a few weeks
later?

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful.

Graft failure.

Mine did the same, and they were grown from stones. I only have one left
now.


--
Rusty Hinge

I had a vaguely related Prunus mume which survived 3 years then did the same. I put it down to cold wet roots over winter. Could this be a possibility?

On 29/06/13 10:38, kay wrote:
RustyHinge;986344 Wrote:


Mine did the same, and they were grown from stones. I only have one left

now.


I had a vaguely related Prunus mume which survived 3 years then did the
same. I put it down to cold wet roots over winter. Could this be a
possibility?

Not with mine - the ground is adequately drained, and two of them
succumbed in the late spring.

--
Rusty Hinge