Tara Foote

I have tried sooo many varieties of plums, apples, pears, aisian pear, cherry, persimons and I feel like Im banging my head against a wall expecting different results. Ive built guilds around my in ground trees, I got a cat to control voles, I spray natural organic sprays faithfully to control fungal infections, and I release predatory insects for bug control. And in 5 years, Ive seen maybe a half dozen blooms between almost 20 trees and not one damn fruit. I currently have 7 of those original trees left.  I live in the southeast, and I know we tend to have fruit tree problems due to high humidity and bugs but how does anyone ever grow a fruit tree here?!?! If its not shothole, its fireblight, or japanese beetles, or spider mites, or voles, and canker...dear me, dont forget the canker!...does anyone else have this much problem in the southeast or am I just missing something very obvious? I live in west Tn, zone 7b. I have compost and mineral amended sandy clay well draining soil, however many of my dwarf trees were pot grown with the same issues. My soil test showed not major deficiencies. Im ready to throw in the towel so any advice is appreciated that could help me save these trees.

Well, since my initial post we have tried some new approaches, however I haven't been very successful in decreasing the population yet. We already have some rescue dogs(none are terriers)but they do seem to enjoy digging for moles. I have small children,but I am considering using plants that repel moles and caging them, the plants...not the kids . This has been an effective way to keep the kids away from some of the medicinal plants I have. We are also currently looking into burying an underground fence of chicken wire around the raised beds to help deter the moles a bit. Thanks to everyone for the ideas!

Thanks, we will try that. We used to have owls and foxes visit frequently...until we got new neighbors. That may be part of the problem...the cats just aren't enough in the predator department.

We have worked very hard to increase the biodiversity on our 3\4 acre plot, as well as building soil. The first three years, we had moles, but hey...they were aerating soil and eating grubs, so no biggie. This year, apparently all the female moles forgot totake their birth control pill...all at once! We are overrun! We have entire food production beds caving in. An elderly relative has fallen and twisted an ankle,so we just cant allow anyone in the back yard anymore. They are all over the yard, but are more concentrated there.Im being advised to use poisons, but there must be another way! We have tried traps, gum, we got outdoor cats...and yes they have killed a handful...but nothing seems to be making a dent. The grub population is dramatically falling, I rarely find one in the soil now...but now they are after my earthworms. I feel as though we have created a beacon that calls moles to the promised land! I would greatly appreciate any advice that doesn't involve dumping toxins into my soil...