Apple tree bark turning orange and coming off

[Leaf17]

Hi all,

 

Hoping you may be able to help with a problem we have with our apple tree - photos are attached.

 

We live in north of the UK and moved to this house 3 years ago. The apple tree is very old and produces loads of fruit.

 

I noticed a few months back that bark has started coming off the bottom of trunk. This area is orange and the same colour has started travelling up into branches. We love this tree so I'm worried that it may be something bad.

 

I removed some fairly large branches (up to around 4 inches diameter) in March 2021 to allow for small shed which will have been about 5-10% of the tree in total. Other than that, I trimmed the canopy a little but haven't done anything else to it since we moved in.

 

I'd be really grateful if someone could let me know if they know what's wrong with the tree and if it can be remedied?

 

Thanks very much,

Jack

[openspaceman]

52 minutes ago, Leaf17 said:

Hi all,

 

Hoping you may be able to help with a problem we have with our apple tree - photos are attached.

 

We live in north of the UK and moved to this house 3 years ago. The apple tree is very old and produces loads of fruit.

 

I noticed a few months back that bark has started coming off the bottom of trunk. This area is orange and the same colour has started travelling up into branches. We love this tree so I'm worried that it may be something bad.

 

I removed some fairly large branches (up to around 4 inches diameter) in March 2021 to allow for small shed which will have been about 5-10% of the tree in total. Other than that, I trimmed the canopy a little but haven't done anything else to it since we moved in.

 

I'd be really grateful if someone could let me know if they know what's wrong with the tree and if it can be remedied?

 

Thanks very much,

Jack

The orange looks like it may be a lichen, if so it is harmless.

 

More significant is the basal damage which looks like a strimmer has frapped it.

[Darrin Turnbull]

Maybe the orange coloured covering is Trentepohlia 

[Khriss]

First thing, get rid of grass underneath so you can mulch it, then see how it does this year, if its fruiting well, its worth taking the trouble, mulch will help if it droughts. K

[Leaf17]

Thanks all very much for your suggestions. Having now researched Trentepohlia I think this is the reason for the orange colour. And I have strimmed right up against the tree so maybe I wasn't careful enough. 

 

I'll remove the grass then mulch.

 

Main thing is none of you seem too concerned!

 

Thanks again,

Jack

[david lawrence]

I had a poorly apple

 

pruned out ‘canker ‘

roundup followed by a deep mulch of leaf mould and home compost/ horse manure

perked it up no end

 

if you taking out grass manually just shallow skim turf off to avoid root damage

 

 

 

[Leaf17]

Hi all,

 

It took me over a year to get round to mulching...

 

Having dug down a little around the base of the tree and done some research, I am pretty certain that the tree has collar rot. I'd really appreciate your views on if you agree and if so, what can be done to save the tree. It's many decades old and we're very fond of it so I'm worried it may not survive.

 

I've attached some images of the worst section. The bark easily comes away and an inch or two of the collar appears to be rotten when I prod it.

 

Thanks very much in advance for your guidance.

 

Jack

[Peasgood]

5 hours ago, Leaf17 said:

Hi all,

 

It took me over a year to get round to mulching...

 

Having dug down a little around the base of the tree and done some research, I am pretty certain that the tree has collar rot. I'd really appreciate your views on if you agree and if so, what can be done to save the tree. It's many decades old and we're very fond of it so I'm worried it may not survive.

 

I've attached some images of the worst section. The bark easily comes away and an inch or two of the collar appears to be rotten when I prod it.

 

Thanks very much in advance for your guidance.

 

Jack

Could try inarching. Google it.

Personally I am not convinced it is collar rot and more just the tree getting old. Either way inarching is the only thing I can think of unless you have a tin of mercury based wound treatment laying around. ( Only thing I ever knew to work)

[daltontrees]

You have some well established white or soft rot there. Possibly Armillaria. The orange stuff is not significant. Original cause of damage can't be known, but I would guess at rabbits gnawing the bark, maybe worsened by strimming. If so that has opened up wood to infection. Bad news is that it wouild take a miracle fo the tree to fight it off, especially if recently pruned. Good news is that apple trees can be pretty tough and, despite cavities or decay, it might soldier on for a decade or so before there is risk of collapse.   

Good that you gor rid of the grass, but you should mulch, mulch, mulch, the single greatest kindness you can do a tree.

[Leaf17]

Not good news but I really appreciate your advice so thank you.

 

Should I scrape back the loose/rotting bark before mulching? What would your recommendation be for what mulch to use? In my experience, neighbouring cats do their business in wood chip so keen to avoid that!

 

Cheers,

Jack

[openspaceman]

On 25/07/2023 at 01:14, Peasgood said:

unless you have a tin of mercury based wound treatment laying around

Santar? I think that was banned in the seventies.