Necrosis of apple bark is the result of pest activity, some diseases and gardener's mistakes. With any pathology, a detailed examination of the tree is carried out. An objective assessment of the health status of the apple tree will help maintain the crop.
There is no reason for unrest if cracking of the cortex is local in nature. In most cases, the problem will be solved by itself. The situation is more complicated if areas with necrosis constantly occupy a new area. Inaction of the gardener will lead to the death of the tree.
Content
Clinical manifestations
Botanists have identified several negative factors that provoke pathology. They were divided into internal and external:
- pest activity;
- sunburn;
- cold burn;
- rodent activity;
- the appearance of spores of the fungus.
The gardener must distinguish between the physiological type of cracking of the bark from the natural. In the second case, we are talking about a process that is observed after winter. Small areas of the top cover of an apple tree that have undergone drying can be easily torn off. Under them is healthy wood.
When the underlying layers are located under the cracked bark, this indicates pathology. There are several signs, using which you can make a diagnosis yourself.
|
Frost war
|
Sunburn |
| The color of the bark does not change. | The bark turns evenly red. |
| The cambium of the tree turns brown with a pronounced rusty tint. | Cambium has a uniformly red hue. |
If the cause of the problem was pests, then under a cracked bark it is easy to notice a colony of insects. As soon as the culprit of the problem is discovered, treatment should begin.
Practical recommendations
Botanists recommend summer residents to pay attention to preventive measures. Every spring, a detailed inspection of each knot and stem is carried out. Even if the smallest crack is detected, action must be taken as soon as possible. The easiest way is to first remove the damaged area, and then cover it with var. In addition to visual inspection, feeling is carried out. Its purpose is to detect potential foci of the problem at an early stage. Treatment of more extensive damage is carried out using a mixture. The recipe for its preparation is as follows:
- 1 kg of fresh ash;
- 1 kg of clay;
- mix everything;
- apply a thin layer to the damaged area;
- cover with 1 layer of burlap.
A different procedure is provided if crackling and lamination of the bark is observed at the base of large branches. The gardener should know that in 9 cases out of 10 the culprit will be the disease or fungus. Until the diagnosis is made, it is forbidden to take any measures. The fungus will produce a characteristic white “fluff” under the damaged area. A sign of the disease will be rot. In order to heal the affected part, you will need the following composition:
- 400 g of resin
- 100 g of paraffin;
- 100 g of animal fat.
The listed ingredients are mixed in a deep container. Then you need to process the place of accumulation of rot. The procedure ends with trunk wrapping using 1 layer of burlap.
Treatment of affected areas with fungus
The key to success will be the efficiency and accuracy in choosing dosages.If the separation and cracking of the bark began as a result of the activity of the fungus, then you need to purchase a 2% solution of copper sulfate. Using a brush, the liquid is applied to the affected area. The next step is to use the above recipe in order to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The gardener must ensure that 2% solution of copper sulfate gets as little as possible on healthy areas of the bark.
Age features of processing
As a result of botanical studies, a relationship was established between the age of the apple tree and the most effective way to restore the integrity of the bark. Young trees should be handled as follows:
- Promptly remove all areas of dead bark.
- Apply var to the affected area.
- Major damage must be treated with a potassium permanganate solution.
- The next step is to close the affected area with a rag previously moistened with the preparation “Citovit” or “Zircon”.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Dry the damaged area in the sun.
- Treat the surface with the mixture used to seal the furnace joints. You can buy it at a building materials store.
- In the case when the young apple has small wounds, they are treated with a mixture based on wax (100 g) and animal fat (100 g).
The upper part of the apple tree is covered with white paint, which reduces the negative effects of sunlight. In the spring, the previously applied surface is removed. It is necessary to treat the patched area with clay solution. With the advent of winter, the affected area must be wrapped in several layers of light rags. Polyethylene will help reduce the negative effects of cold on the wound. The integrity of the tree bark of an old apple tree can be restored as follows:
- 100% removal of damaged areas of the cortex;
- small growths need to be cleaned using a soft brush;
- treat damaged areas with 1% solution of iron sulfate;
- dry in the sun the affected area for 5-6 hours.
Treat the affected area using garden whitewash. All manipulations are performed only in dry weather.
Thermal burn management
During the winter, sudden thaws are often encountered that do not affect the condition of the tree in the best way. A lot of problems awaits in the summer. Too sunny weather will cause crackling of the bark. In both cases, you need to adhere to a certain procedure:
|
Cold
|
Heat |
| Treatment of the affected area with a mixture of 1 part lime, 3 parts clay and 1 part manure. | Promptly remove affected areas of the cortex. Apply a mixture of wax and lard in the proportions 1: 1 to the treated area. |
| With a more pronounced degree of pathology, a putty is prepared. You need to mix 300 g of manure, 200 g of oily clay and a similar amount of finishing putty. The mixture is brought to a thick sour cream. | If the bark of an old apple tree has too many affected areas, then the gardener prepares a mixture based on rosin (13%), wax (17%) and nigrol (70%). Processing is carried out once a day. |
Regardless of the reasons that provoked cracking of the bark, after completion of treatment, the gardener carefully monitors the reaction of apple trees. If fruiting has not yet begun, then the tree is subject to elimination.
To prevent such a development of events will help regular inspection of the trunk and branches. The second nuance is the use of resistant varieties of apple trees.
Their list is as follows:
- "Mal Bagaevsky";
- "Jonathan";
- "Papirovka";
- Alva
Varieties for planting must be selected taking into account the climatic characteristics of the region. Relevant information is placed on the packaging.
The cracked bark of the apple tree is the result of gardener mistakes, thermal burns, fungal pathogens, or parasite activity. In each case, a specific therapeutic course is required. There is no need to rush to conclusions, but you should not hesitate.Regular preventive visual and manual inspection of the trunk and branches will allow you to notice an impending problem at an early stage. All affected areas of the cortex must be removed immediately.
Autumn processing of apple trees from pests and diseases: how to spray, terms
How to plant an apple tree in the fall
How to prune a columnar apple tree in autumn: features, timing, patterns
Autumn apple pruning scheme for beginners