Apple tree problem

Green3

Our apple tree has started getting some sort of green fungus on its branches. Does anyone know how this can be sorted out? Spraying Bayer fungus fighter is not helping. Please advise how to save the tree.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Apple_tree_with_canker.jpg/300px-Apple_tree_with_canker.jpg

RAS

lichen ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen

reehsetin

I'd also be interested, I have a very similar issue with a pear tree

DaftyDuck

'Tis certainly lichen. Shows the air is fresh, and the tree not pruned recently. It's seldom a problem. It can be a problem on the younger, thin shoots, but once the branches have strengthened and thickened, just leave it be.

If you don't like it, and want the "Brazilian" look for your tree, judicial trimming is the answer Prune off branches to improve air circulation and light penetration, not necessarily those covered, and keep the tree clean and tidy of dead fruit.

But, in my book, it's a sign of a lovely old tree.

Green3

Daftyduck one tree has already died due to this. Is there a solution? The fruits are also infected and rotten and brown.

Will this help:
http://www.notcutts.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=11591&isEmailSent=true

DaftyDuck

Lichen has probably not had anything to do with the tree dying. The tree may well be dying, and lichen has grown on it anyway. No, that treatment will not get rid of it or, won't do much to rid it, and only if you use it at high concentrations.

The fruits are also infected and rotten and brown

So, it's not lichen on the branches that's really worrying you. Post some pictures of the fruits. From the photo you posted, it looks like it's an old tree that's just not been well-pruned, and has weakened as a result.

Read up on tree pruning, prune back this winter, trim off all diseased wood and burn it, remove and clear all rotten fruit, clear the grass for a couple of feet around the trunk, feed the tree with a good organic fertiliser next March, remove excess fruit in June, spray only if really necessary, and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

There isn't really a quick fix with fruit trees.

But, do post some more pictures. If you can take them at a higher resolution than the one you uploaded, that'd help. I can't really see what growths there are on the tree branch.

Green3

Not able to post my pics. How do I do it. That is why I just posted one from Google which is similar to my tree problem. I think it is canker.

DaftyDuck

Ah, right... I assumed it was a photo of your tree....

Find a photo hosting site like photobucket.com (others exist), and sign up ....

Upload your photo there, and it'll give you a url (like the one you used above....)

... then post the link on here using the icon like a picture postcard ^^ up there, resulting in.....

Eric appearing...



If you do have canker, treat the same as for lichen. You can use chemical spray, but it will just come back. Keep air circulation to the max, clear up leaves, add lime to the soil (not too much - you'll kill the tree), fertilise in Spring, prune neatly....

Green3

:think::think::think::think::think:

DaftyDuck

OK, so almost all on that trunk is nice, friendly lichen. All the grey stuff, all the yellow stuff. Nowt wrong with it growing there, doing no harm to the tree. There's a bit of green moss too...

What there is is an old tree, much in need of remedial pruning over the next couple or three years. As I say, let the light in, let the air in, open the tree up.

What there also is, is what looks like a compost heap under the tree, made from those pallets.... Is it? If it is, that may very well cause all sorts of nastiness for the tree.

If I saw a car crashed into a wall, with a dead bloke behind the wheel, I'd leap to judgement, and assume the car crash had killed him. What may well have happened is the lazy, fat bloke had taken no exercise for the last ten years, and had keeled over at the wheel with a heart attack, died, and then the car had crashed. Your lichen and moss is probably a sign the tree is in poor shape - literally - and needs a fitness regime.

Green3

Yes it is a compost heap left by the previous owners. We have not added anything to it. So is that the source of the problem? But it is right at the back of the garden and will be difficult to remove.
But if this lichen is not so harmful, then it has still managed to completely destroy one apple tree which is totally bare with no leaves or fruit. Is it possible to revive the tree?