Sick crabapple tree with mold and maybe fungus on the main trunk. We also had a large Branch we had to cut because it broke from the high winds. Do we need to paint it with something? - Ask Extension
I have a two-fold question. One is my biggest concern with the main trunk having some mold and possible fungus we found growing on the trunk. Can you ...
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Sick crabapple tree with mold and maybe fungus on the main trunk. We also had a large Branch we had to cut because it broke from the high winds. Do we need to paint it with something? #867490
Asked May 07, 2024, 7:49 PM EDT
I have a two-fold question. One is my biggest concern with the main trunk having some mold and possible fungus we found growing on the trunk. Can you help us identify it and instruct on how to repair it if possible??
Second question is we had to make a large branch cut cuz it was halfway hanging after high winds. Do we need to paint it or cover the fresh cut area?
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello Kimberly,
Thank you contacting Ask Extension. You have concerns about your crabapple tree which was damaged in a storm and has a dark growth on the trunk near the bottom of the tree.
I am sending information about how to care for storm damaged trees. Wound dressings have not been shown to provide any benefit to the tree and could harbor insects. Information about pruning cuts is also included.
https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Storm_Damage_Quick_Guide.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/training-and-pruning-fruit-trees-7-003/
I have a concern about the dark growth on the trunk at the bottom of the tree located in a large former wound. This could be caused by the fire blight bacteria, Erwinia amylovora. Have you by any chance noticed leaves or shoots that die back from the tip sometimes forming a shepherd's crook. The dead area can look blackened and burnt. This disease can also effect branches and the trunk, entering into the tree through wounds. Severe cases of fire blight can kill a tree.
https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/diseases/fire-blight
https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-fire-blight
I also noticed that the diameter of the trunk near the ground is smaller than the trunk above it. This could be something for an arborist to look at.
If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come look at your tree ,visit the site, 'Trees are Good'. Click on, 'Find an Arborist', and enter your country and zip code and a list will appear.
https://www.treesaregood.org/
Regards,
Thank you contacting Ask Extension. You have concerns about your crabapple tree which was damaged in a storm and has a dark growth on the trunk near the bottom of the tree.
I am sending information about how to care for storm damaged trees. Wound dressings have not been shown to provide any benefit to the tree and could harbor insects. Information about pruning cuts is also included.
https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/Storm_Damage_Quick_Guide.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/training-and-pruning-fruit-trees-7-003/
I have a concern about the dark growth on the trunk at the bottom of the tree located in a large former wound. This could be caused by the fire blight bacteria, Erwinia amylovora. Have you by any chance noticed leaves or shoots that die back from the tip sometimes forming a shepherd's crook. The dead area can look blackened and burnt. This disease can also effect branches and the trunk, entering into the tree through wounds. Severe cases of fire blight can kill a tree.
https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/ornamental-pest-guide/diseases/fire-blight
https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-fire-blight
I also noticed that the diameter of the trunk near the ground is smaller than the trunk above it. This could be something for an arborist to look at.
If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come look at your tree ,visit the site, 'Trees are Good'. Click on, 'Find an Arborist', and enter your country and zip code and a list will appear.
https://www.treesaregood.org/
Regards,
