Evaluation of Trunk-Insulating Wraps on Cambium Temperature Fluctuations and Peach Tree Short Life Development

Four trunk-insulating wraps in four orchards were used to evaluate cambium temperature fluctuations on peach tree short life (PTSL) development. A clear plastic bubble material trapped solar radiation, increased cambium temperatures, and resulted in cambial browning, sour sap odor, and tree death similar to PTSL. Insulation materials that reduced temperature fluctuations did not affect minimum cambium night temperatures but did decrease maximum day temperatures compared with noninsulated checks (...)