pea:

It does sound like sun/heat/drought damage. Five gal a week is very skimpy for any kind of fruit tree. If that's all you have so be it. More water would help as would some afternoon shade. 40-50% shade cloth in afternoon would help even if you could water more.

its hard to give you an ID of the problem.. on words alone... and then offer suggestions ...

sure.. it SOUNDS like sunburn ... or lack of proper watering ...

how about a pic

ken

Here is a cherry leaf, the damage is similar on other plants- all on the same side of the plant.
I slightly mis-spoke in my initial post, I water 1- 2 times a week with 5 gallons of shower water, dependent on my kids shower schedule. The tomatoes and veg are more needy. I know it's not much, but it's pretty important to conserve- some areas are fining people who go over, and it doesn't look like rain this winter either. All my trees/shrubs are mulched with about 4" - I use compost in summer, gingko leaves in winter.
I think shade cloth is a great plan, the prevailing wind is on the same direction as the burn, so any hints or tips about supporting shade cloth would be appreciated.
Pea

Pea:

Sure looks like sunburn. Shade cloth will help and is probably worth the cost. But it would be helpful to first consider the trees water requirements so I've included a link from CA for various size trees and weather conditions. I don't know how big your trees are but 10 gal per week doesn't go far. That would be about right for a 2 yr old fruit tree shading an area about 2ft by 5ft during midday.

If you can't get half way to the trees needs via watering you might be wasting money, and resources, on shade cloth.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fruit tree water use in CA

This post was edited by fruitnut on Wed, Oct 22, 14 at 13:26

Great link for watering guidelines, thank you so much!

I am always unsure how much I need to water. The city tells us to water our newly planted, 8' tall steer trees 15 gallons a week so I had been going off that guideline, my fruits have been in the ground two years but were 3' and branched at time of planting and are now approaching 5' . (The peach trees are 8' but have a little afternoon shade)

I will calculate where I can take and give the water, it's silly to toss the investment of trees, it's not like I have a giant orchard.

Pea

Sorry, I meant street trees, not steer trees!! Though that would be interesting...

You don't need 100% of the recommendation particularly after harvest. After harvest most trees will do fine at 50%. I try to water at 50-75% to increase fruit sweetness and flavor. But If my trees leaves were burning like your picture I'd up water some and possibly shade some in afternoon.