Question about peach fruit

[morgan]

A Carolina Belle peach tree that we planted last year has set a fair amount of fruit this spring. However, the majority of them are "twins" or "doubles"  (don't know the correct term to describe).  I've not seen this before, and am wondering, what's up?  Is it unusual or not?  Is there anything that can be done to prevent this?  Is it even a problem?  Could the smaller fruit of the double be removed, perhaps in an earlier stage of growth, or even now?  Will they likely even make it to maturity?

[Brian Ring]

I have never seen that before, Sorry Morgan.  But if no one answers you on here I know some contacts at a couple extension offices you could email it to.  Let me know if you need their contacts.

Brian

[Jim]

I think this might help:  http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/twinning.shtml

[morgan]

Thanks for the responses, very helpful.  Heat & possibly drought during fruit set are indeed likely causes.  I looked  up temperature data for the period of bloom and several weeks after & temps were running about 20 degrees above average for that period.  I also did not do any watering during that time, had they had additional water it may have helped in prevention.   The fruit are still maturing well, I did separate the smaller "twins" from some of the fruit as an experiment.  I'll be keeping an eye on them.
Thanks again!