Peach Schemes

   When we found this house, one of the things that really appealed to me was a spacious backyard with lots of mature trees.  I was also pleasantly surprised to find, tucked under the bigger trees, two peach trees. I cleared away all the brush and brambles, and cut away a few branches to give these peach trees more sunshine.  Then, last spring they blossomed beautifully and I was pleased to see lots of small peaches growing.  There were so many that I knew I would have to do some serious thinning, but I wanted them to get about an inch long so I could tell which ones were more viable.
   One day there were bunches, and I knew I would have to get out there soon, and the next time I checked, there were only a handful of young peaches left on the trees.  I thought perhaps a recent storm had blown them off, but couldn't find any on the ground.  Anyhow, the thinning job was no longer necessary.  The next time I came out, I discovered there were no peaches left at all on the tree.  How could that be?  I finally determined that it must have been the squirrels who stole them all away.  I didn't think the birds had done it.  

   This year I was determined to get a good crop of peaches.  Now, even though Georgia is the peach state, I don't know anyone here in Northern Georgia who has had any luck with their peach trees in their yards.  I'm told they always lose the crop to "brown rot," whatever that is.  (See how I betray my inexperience?)  Thing is, I've never seen brown rot on the tree, because the peaches never lasted long enough to get it.  So I figured one thing at a time, right?  Protect them from the squirrels first.

   I decided to wrap the trunks in something that the squirrels couldn't climb.  I checked at the big box stores, and no one was any help.  Apparently people don't generally go looking there for something like this.  I finally found some aluminum flashing that might work.  I have now put that flashing around the trunks of the trees.  On one of them I was able to put it to four feet high (the estimated jumping ability of most squirrels, from what I've read).  The other branches out lower than that, so it only goes two feet high.
   So far so good.  I enjoy looking out at the trees and seeing my efforts manifest plainly.  Only time will tell whether my efforts bear fruit (sorry; couldn't help it).  I'll let you know.