North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Richard L. Wagner" <rewagner@centurytel.net>]

Last year I planted 50-plus assorted fruits tree (pear, plums, 
apples, persimmons, peaches, cherries). All leaved out and looked okay. 
THis spring about half did not leaf out and are dead though a dozen or 
so are breaking from below the graft. It did not get that cold here. 
Lowest temp was about +5F and even that was not on consecutive days. 

Last winter was very dry. I never thought about needing to irrigate 
dormant trees in the winter but is it possible that a lack of winter 
moisture explains so many dead trees?

Richard Wagner
Thayer, MO USDA 6B+