Unwell crab apple tree

brettule · 17th February 2011, 04:26 PM

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if you could diagnose and advise a course of action for a problem I have with our crab Apple tree. I've noticed one branch is starting to appear dead and the crab apples are shrivelled, its not the whole length of the branch yet. It sort of looks like the leaves are drying up for autumn but its still summer! Take a look at the attached pic. Any ideas what's going on and how best to treat it?

Eric Frei · 17th February 2011, 04:53 PM

Resize and upload the image to this server, you got an email and a PM when you joined with this link.

How to post| add a picture or file| embed picture

brettule · 17th February 2011, 05:15 PM

Doh, sorry just saw that Tree World don't like pic's linked offsite.

Resized and attached.

Eric Frei · 18th February 2011, 07:24 AM

It's likely a bacterial or fungal infection like fire blight.

Prune off diseased twigs and branches, prune well past affected area back to a node or branch.

brettule · 18th February 2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

It's likely a bacterial or fungal infection like fire blight.

I thought fire blight didn't exist in Oz?

Eric Frei · 18th February 2011, 04:34 PM

It doesn't to my knowledge but the word "like" was used.

It could be anthracnose, some info in this thread.

Either way you know you are likely up against fungal or bacterial attack.

Brent Ferris · 18th February 2011, 11:09 PM

Note that the article Eric refers to says--

Quote:

pruning out infected twigs reduces the amount of available inoculum and reduces the severity of the disease

And if you act fast enough, and prune hard enough, you might stop the spread of the disease. But once a plant is infected, it is really hard to get rid a disease. The best chemicals attempt to do is control the disease.

17th February 2011, 04:26 PM	#1
brettule I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3	Unwell crab apple tree Hi everyone, I'm wondering if you could diagnose and advise a course of action for a problem I have with our crab Apple tree. I've noticed one branch is starting to appear dead and the crab apples are shrivelled, its not the whole length of the branch yet. It sort of looks like the leaves are drying up for autumn but its still summer! Take a look at the attached pic. Any ideas what's going on and how best to treat it? Last edited by Eric Frei; 17th February 2011 at 04:51 PM. Reason: image link removed, follow the rules!

17th February 2011, 04:53 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Unwell crab apple tree Resize and upload the image to this server, you got an email and a PM when you joined with this link. How to post\| add a picture or file\| embed picture __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

17th February 2011, 05:15 PM	#3
brettule I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3	Re: Unwell crab apple tree Doh, sorry just saw that Tree World don't like pic's linked offsite. Resized and attached. Attached Thumbnails

18th February 2011, 07:24 AM	#4
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Unwell crab apple tree It's likely a bacterial or fungal infection like fire blight. Prune off diseased twigs and branches, prune well past affected area back to a node or branch. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

18th February 2011, 04:34 PM	#6
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Unwell crab apple tree It doesn't to my knowledge but the word "like" was used. It could be anthracnose, some info in this thread. Either way you know you are likely up against fungal or bacterial attack. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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