Apple bark

Gene Deci · May 23, 2020

This is an apple tree collected in Northern Michigan in2008. There were no other apple trees nearby and I have no idea what variety it is. It responded well to all the usual techniques. Then, last spring I noticed that the bark, especially on the smaller branches, was getting all wrinkly and even flaking off in spots. But the foliage was fine and otherwise it had a normal summer. This spring the bark is flaking off all over including some large pieces from the trunk. It is smooth and tan underneath, not like bark at all. I would think it was a fungus and lethal if the foliage wasn’t coming out as it normally does. What is going on?

Mike Hennigan · May 23, 2020

I’ve noticed this too and seems normal. Over time that patch should become rough old bark again. Screen grab from a quick google search:

mattspinniken · May 23, 2020

Hi Gene, awesome tree first of all. I hope it will be ok. I actually think you have a variety of scale, possibly try some insecticides on there.

NOZZLE HEAD · May 23, 2020

mattspiniken said:
Hi Gene, awesome tree first of all. I hope it will be ok. I actually think you have a variety of scale, possibly try some insecticides on there. View attachment 304753

I’m always a big fan of trying some insecticides regardless.

Forrestford · May 23, 2020

Beautiful apple tree! Not to get off the subject of your bark problems but... Does it grow fruit? Pictures? That is an awesome specimen.

Forsoothe! · May 23, 2020

NOZZLE HEAD said:
I’m always a big fan of trying some insecticides regardless.

Me, too. No enough poison in the world. Kill, kill, kill.

Mike Hennigan · May 23, 2020

mattspiniken said:
Hi Gene, awesome tree first of all. I hope it will be ok. I actually think you have a variety of scale, possibly try some insecticides on there. View attachment 304753

Oh shit! After looking more closely at the branches photo, there really does seem to be some funky scale thing goin on.

Gene Deci · May 24, 2020

Forrestford said:
Beautiful apple tree! Not to get off the subject of your bark problems but... Does it grow fruit? Pictures? That is an awesome specimen.

Actually that is my only disapointment with the tree. It has never bloomed for me.

Leo in N E Illinois · May 24, 2020

Gene Deci said:
Actually that is my only disapointment with the tree. It has never bloomed for me.

Yet,

It's still green, there's always hope for blooms next year.

Forsoothe! · May 24, 2020

The flowers grow at the tips of spring extension from last year's growth as overwintered. If you prune for a tight canopy each autumn, you may be removing all of those tips. ?

Gene Deci · May 24, 2020

Forsoothe! said:
The flowers grow at the tips of spring extension from last year's growth as overwintered. If you prune for a tight canopy each autumn, you may be removing all of those tips. ?

Yes. I did let it grow out one year to see if it would bloom the next. It didn't. I usually do prune it back in the fall though. Maybe this year would be a good time to just let it be.

Forsoothe! · May 24, 2020

Gene Deci said:
Yes. I did let it grow out one year to see if it would bloom the next. It didn't. I usually do prune it back in the fall though. Maybe this year would be a good time to just let it be.

And maybe this year prune tips from one or two twigs in one area in mid June to see if that gets you the compactness you'd like along with flowers next spring. Two experiments in one year? Good Luck

Gene Deci · Jun 16, 2020

Here is an update. First picture is how it looks now. In the next picture, if you look closely, you can see some of the new shoots that have sprouted from old wood. They are all over the tree. Strange?

Apple bark

Gene Deci

Shohin

Mike Hennigan

Chumono

mattspinniken

Omono

NOZZLE HEAD

Shohin

Forrestford

Shohin

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece

Mike Hennigan

Chumono

Gene Deci

Shohin

Leo in N E Illinois

The Professor

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece

Gene Deci

Shohin

Forsoothe!

Imperial Masterpiece

Gene Deci

Shohin

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