Apple Tree Dying!!

waldo

Tree World Lovers this is my apple tree that I've been nursing for about 2 years, we are in drought and are allowed to water twice a week, to be water efficient I made a 1 meter x ½ hard drawn copper pipe with a attachment to the garden hose and I would inject the water pipe right into the root system, at a square pattern to the tree base centre. I would inject about 2 minutes worth of water at mains pressure, there is also some fungus growing at the base of the tree, my mate thinks that the ½ injection diameter around the tree roots has the long garden slug living down there and the slugs are drying out the tree, what do you Guys think.

Waldo.

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Eric Frei

Slugs are drying out the tree?



I'll have to put that one on the myth busters to do list.

Now can you get some more pics of the base area.

Also, there's more tree roots in the top 150mm of soil profile than deeper so if you want to water smart put a coil irrigation or weep/soaker hose system on the soil surface UNDER THE MULCH LAYER.

Yeah, mulch ... not that grass you got.

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jmcg.insight.gardens

Hi Waldo,

I think the main problem with your apple trees appears to be a salt toxicity, or a salt build up in the soil, due to the drought and the deep watering you are doing.

Although toxicity is difficult to correctly identify without adequate tests on the soil using an EC meter, and the water you are irrigating with, the leaf margins appear to show salt toxicity.

The following links will explain to you that the deep watering that you are doing can, in a drought situation bring salt to the root zone, which as explained by Ekka is in the upper part of the soil.

Although the products in the links may not be available, nor can I vouch for their efficiency it will give you the idea.


Managing Pests in Gardens: Fruit: Environmental Disorders: Salt toxicity—UC IPM

Environmentally Friendly Gardening and Sustainable Agriculture: HYDRETAIN DIMINISHES SALT TOXICITY TO PLANTS DURING A DROUGHT


Secondly I would remove the copper pipes as soon as you can. Copper in the soil could lead to leaching of copper into the Solum and might lead to Copper toxicity.

I would, if you can, get an Arborist to check your trees, whom would if possible, suggest a recovery plan for you. Failing this your local Department of Agriculture usually will provide helpful advice.

regards Julie

kieren

waldo

Thanks Ekka & Jmcq... so looks like I'am killing my tree with deep root watering, you can see the tool that I made to attach to the garden hose on the ground....... some pics of the ground area.

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