Urgent help needed for Apple Tree!

My mum has asked me to post this as she is having problems with the two apple tree's that she has in her garden.

Basically the tree has started producing new shoots but they are all dry and brittle and brake off. At the local garden centre she was told to put Rose Clear on the tree as it obviously has some sort of disease (this is infecting both tree's)
I just wondered if anyone had ever heard of this before? both applying the Rose Clear and the fact this type of disease?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as she has asked numerous amounts of people but no-one really seems to be coming up with any answers as to what's causing it.

:(

 

Sounds very strange - rose clear has a fungicide and aphid ingredients. So if the tree is small, may be helpful. But it sounds an odd condition any chance of picture?

 

Sounds like a root problem. The trees are making new shoots off the old wood but there's nothing to sustain them. Any history of Honey Fungus in the garden?

 

Thanks guys for the response. I knew a picture would be needed. Im going round there tomorrow to do some gardening for my mum, she can't do it herself due to bad health. so, i'll go with my camera in hand and take some pictures of the trees.
they aren't small though, they've been there for years but for some reason over the past year or so they have developed this mysterious disease.

My mum will be gutted if it comes to the stage where she will have to cut them down as she is a wildlife lover, and feeds all types of birds. Sometimes it makes me laugh when in her kitchen, looking through the window, as it's like an airport, as a few take off, more land and so it goes on...hee hee, she would be broken hearted if the trees have to go, as so will all the birds.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

As for the Honey Fungus, i haven't a clue, sorry. have to have a word with d mama and come back to you.

 

forgot to take my camera didn't i...duh! going back again tomorrow and i've just put my camera in my bag so i don't forget it again!

I asked about the Honey Fungus and she hasn't ever had a problem with that before.

The trees produce new shoots and are quite happy for a few weeks, then they start to dry up, grow brown and end up all crispy.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

 

It sounds like 'powdery mildew' the blossom looks ok to start with then turns brown and falls off, the leaves are stunted, wither and fall off. The tree looks visably poorly. This fungus will cause die back and the ends of the branches next year will be dead. I have had this problem for a couple of years but this year it is better and the trees[ 3 affected] are much better] with lots of strong fruit.
I spray mine and give them plenty of water. Although not completly gone the trees are recovering. Try keeping under the trees clear, Summer and Winter, of old leaves etc.
PS. I read a post last here in GC, last Autumn, about garden hygene, I burnt all my leaves instead of composting them and possibly reintroducing a problem. It may not be the answer but it may help.

 

ok, have a look at this guys, let me know what you think. Oh! by the way thanks for the advice Hans.





Hope this helps! Please help me save these trees my mum will be soooo distraught if they have to be chopped down.

Thanks in advance

 

As Hans has said - Powdery mildew.
It isn't a terminal condition though and you'll still get apples.
I'd cut off the worst affected shoots and bin them.

I'm not sure about using Rose Clear on a food crop though. It certainly works on flowers etc but is not marketed for food crops.
Most of the chemicals that would have zapped mildew in veg/fruit are now on the withdrawn list.
Here's a link to more info.

http://www.gardenguides.com/articles/powderymildew.htm

[ 06. June 2006, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: Dave W ]

 

Thanks buddy! The apples that grow are cooking apples, so mum doesn't really use them. The wildlife and obviously health of the trees is the most important thing. What do you think about using the Rose Clear now matey?

 

OK powdery mildue it is. Keep the area clean of windfalls and burn (or dispose off site) any infected material. Rake up all dead leaves in Autumn. Your trees also look a bit congested so a bit of pruning to allow more air circulation will help. Use sealant on pruning wounds.

Roseclear won't do any harm if you aren't going to eat the fruit or you could try copper sulphate solution. Deep water the tree roots during hot dry spells

 

I have been using a soap spray on mine and they are almost completly recovered but it has taken 2 or 3 seasons.