Hobie, My plum tree went nuts this year for the first time.
Had about 60 fruit last year, 500+ this year.
That explains the beetles, which seem pretty harmless.
My main animal enemy are gophers. I expanded my grassy lawn 6 months ago. They completely destroyed it. About 15% of it is left. Bermuda grass seems to be partly a deterrent, but it takes forever to establish compared to other types.
I put in a new peach tree in my back yard this year.
One day every single one of the 10 immature peaches it came with disappeared. I blame crows.
