Why is apple bark care so important? The fact is that it not only performs the protective function of the tree trunk, but also itself is exposed to the adverse effects of the environment. And, in addition to pests, insects or animals, a bacterial or fungal disease of the bark of an apple tree can also act as an enemy. In the hot season and severe frosts in those places of the trunks where it has departed, the trees get severe burns, which inexorably slows down their growth, the flow of internal juices. This affects not only fruiting, but also the longevity of the plant itself. The abandoned tree will inexorably quickly approach its death! But if you pay attention to the disease of the bark of the apple tree in a timely manner, do not remain indifferent and take medical measures, then the plant can be saved.
Causes of diseases
The reason may be mechanical damage, due to which tree trunks become bare. These are lacerations or shallow cuts. Such trees are most susceptible to diseases of fungi and bacteria. The bark can also crack from severe frosts, such places on the trunks of apple trees look like cracks, they are called"freezers". From the severity of the snow, the forks of skeletal branches can be torn to the bare trunk. Bark beetles and other insects can easily start up in places of cracks and other bare areas. Bacterial lesions are, of course, the most difficult to treat and are quite common. We list some of them:
1. Cytosporosis is a fungal disease of the bark of an apple tree, which begins its spread from dry, dead branches to he althy ones. The action of this fungus is poisoning with toxins, due to which the drying process occurs. Such a disease has the appearance of an expanding wound. Most often, the disease is activated on poorly fertilized soils with heavy structure.
2. European cancer is a fungal disease of the bark of an apple tree, spread by spores. It looks like a growth, which, as it were, is trying to cover the wound. Under the influence of this fungus, the branches of the tree dry out, the plant bears little fruit.
3. Black cancer is the most dangerous apple bark disease. Shows itself in the form of branches, as if covered with black soot. The onset of the disease has the appearance of red-brown dents, which appeared due to fungal spores. It is at this stage that the plant can still be cured, because. the disease progresses very quickly. Occurs in weakened trees.
4. Common cancer - because of this fungal disease of the bark of apple trees, the plant may die. It is provoked by a lack of nutrients or vaccinations with dwarf rootstocks. Looks like a crack-wound with peeling bark.
5. Bacterial cancer is a lesion in the form of dents from brown to pink, framed by a borderpurple. In early spring, the spots become blisters, which then, of course, burst and expose the cambium. All leaves of the diseased species have brown spots. The cause of the lesion is the accumulation of bacteria in the near-stem circle, their damage to bare sections of the trunk.
Control methods and treatment
Elimination of mechanical damage. Shallow and small in width cracks are covered with garden putty, in extreme cases, clay with cow dung (50x50). Large wounds are cleaned and treated with a solution of iron sulfate. Putty is applied to them, and then wrapped with rags. Damaged forks of skeletal branches are tied with wire over cloth, felt, or something similar to soften it so that it does not cut into the bark.
Black cancer treatment. First, the sources of infection are removed: fallen leaves are burned, where spores survive even the winter, the leaves can also be buried in rotted compost. Tree pruning is carried out annually with a tool processed in blue vitriol. Sick branches are cut carefully so as not to touch he althy ones, and then treated with copper-containing preparations.
Treatment of cytosporosis and European cancer. With a sharp knife, the diseased area is carefully cut off and treated with a solution of copper sulfate (1%), then covered with garden putty and bandaged with a rag.
Treatment of bacterial cancer. Removal of affected branches along with 10 cm of he althy areas. The tool is pre-treated in a 10% formalin solution. Cut branches are burned outside the garden. Next, treat the cut sections with coppervitriol and medicinal garden putty.
Preventive measures
Whitewashing trees with diluted thick (like sour cream - 2-3 kg per 1 bucket of water) freshly slaked lime mortar. Whitewashing should be done in early spring and even at the end of February, it will serve as a good protection against sunburn.
Annual cleaning of old bark and branches. Under the tree, you need to lay old paper or rags and clean the protruding and easily lagging bark from the trunk with metal scrapers or brushes. This should be done as carefully as possible. Waste is immediately incinerated because they can contain various viral fungi, and everyone knows that they tend to quickly spread through any he althy tissue.
Stumps left in the garden that are affected by fungi and probably bacteria should be uprooted and burned outside the garden. Root zones are treated once a season with 1% copper sulphate in the form of spraying in order to prevent insects or wind from getting on tree trunks. That's all the diseases of apple trees. The bark of the trees will be in excellent condition if you inspect it periodically.
