Sick Apple tree

one of the apple trees that we inherited is looking very sick.

After flowering well this spring (cropped well last year too), many of the flowering spurs are simply dying off. There is sign of this die-back on about 1/4 of the tree, and about 1 in 20 of the spurs seem to be dying back.





Apart from removing the dead spurs, or at least those that I can reach, is there anything I can do to make this poor wounded soldier more comfortable?


Theis is a deep wound in the main trunk - about 1" deep, and 10" long. We bought the property with the tree in this state, about 3 years ago. The wound continues to seep, but has shown little signs of worsening. I fear our friend is not to be with us for much longer?

 

Hi Sian

By the look of it "canker" which is a fungus .
Bordeaux spray is best to treat it .

Is the soil well drained or a bit on the soggy side ? whats the PH.

Spruce

 

Thanks @Spruce!

The soil is very sandy (could almost say the sand is a little soily!), and is on a slope, about 1 in 20, so I would say free draining.
I don't know the PH, but azaleas, rhody-dodies and blue hydrangeas are all the rage, so I'm guessing heathland-acidic soil type? (Broom grows better than grass in many parts of the "lawn")

If it's of any help, I know that the previous owners didn't plant the tree, as they were only able to tell me that "one of them is an apple I think", pointing to the group of 5 established trees. So that makes the tree at least 7 years old....

Would the canker be causing the die-back of the spurs too?

(Off to google Bordeaux spray in French and Dutch - any ideas, @lost_in_france ?)

 

Hi

I thought the soil would be acid another increasing factor to have it , so yes its canker.

the split in the trunk , and the spurs all have canker, some years are worse , feeding a tree on a slope would be difficult as well I would imagine.

If replacing you need to look for varieties that have natural resistance

It will still produce fruit and can survive for years but with you having the split in the main trunk is not good.

 

Really helpful news, @Spruce, and perfect timing, as we are in the process of placing an order for 2-3 Apple trees. We already knew we would need a more vigorous rootstock, but now we have an extra piece of info to factor in with our order....

Like the fruit bushes, the fruit trees each have a clear area, about 18", around the base of the trunks, that is kept free of the grass, and fed with pcm and then top-dressed with a thick mulch 3-4 times a year. Mrs Foxy likes pcm nearly as much as fresh cherries, so the mulch has to be deep!

I assume I cannot safely compost the dead spur growths? Because of the large amount of garden and kitchen matter, the heaps do run on the "hot" side, at least for the first heap, but that will not be hot enough to kill the fungus? Or is it now pervading the area to the point that worrying about a little more is futile? Do I need to treat any major wounds / pruning scars with Bordeaux spray too, for this and the other fruit trees? A little concerned about our young Braeburn and Gloster 69 trees, although they are further down the slope....

 

@Sian in Belgium

You need local information which ones would suit your area when choosing new trees , where are you getting them from as I would suggests "Maiden Autumn planted bare root" are best and get away quicker in the long run ... rather than trees that have been grown in pots for two or thee or more years

 

We were going to contact a specialist nursery, probably in the UK (because we want some UK varieties), and we're thinking of bare-root maidens, on a 106 rootstock. In my experience, when you call and start talking unusual rootstocks, challenging soil conditions, and ask for advice, you normally get put through to the boss!! In our last home, we had a similar problem with poor soil, although in that instance it was shallow flinty soil with solid chalk 6-8" down, so we are slowly getting better!!

 

Sian

106 is a great choice , the tree makes a good size without getting huge , in the UK we have some great apple suppliers , "Newton Wonder"a cooker, with confidence I would recommend that one to you.

 

I haven't seen it locally Sian but I know you can get it on ebay. Ironically it is sent from the UK!
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Bordeaux-mix...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item20fc0ebabe

 

@Spruce I tried to be clever yesterday, so edited a post very soon after posting, rather than put a 2nd one up...

Do I need to burn all infected bits when they are removed? And will I need to use Bordeaux mix on any tree pruning sites from now on? I tend not to use any chemicals (or "product" as they are generically referred to here) as generally I think good fresh air, and a clean cut is the best way forward.

I've re-established contact with the mail order specialist, and explained the new issue that needs to be factored in. Waiting to hear what he says - getting excited already about new trees. I luurve trees!!

 

@Sian in Belgium

yes burn or dispose off , you dont have to use chemicals you will still get a crop.

best to use the fungicide just as the buds burst as you catch the fungi put just at the right time , with that tree its already in side so to be honest you can only do so much

Be interesting to see what varieties they suggest.

 

Well, they have got back to me...

First, they recommend I cut out the infected wood. Reluctant to cut down a tree, so I will hold on that one. But the canker resistant trees include Lord Lambourne, James Grieve, and Rosemary Russet, so I think we should be ok. I might risk throwing in a Laxtons Superb, and planting it as far away as possible. We will order a damson tree as well, so I guess that's us saying goodbye to a decent amount of money!!

 

Well, that's interesting....

I've just had a look at the RHS site, and that says that James Grieve is particularly susceptible to canker, rather than has some resistance. Who is correct?

 

email another nursery and ask which ones do they recommend

disinfecting the secateurs forgot to mention , before and after and especially on another tree

 

I've checked with several nurseries now, and most quote James Grieve as being bad for getting canker. I guess we will be only getting 3 Apples after all....