Lightening strike last year, Can I save my honeycrisp? - Ask Extension
Hi. Last summer our Honeycrisp was struck by lightening. I pruned back the most damaged branches and have fertilized . However I am afraid I haven't ...
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Lightening strike last year, Can I save my honeycrisp? #879999
Asked August 03, 2024, 8:55 AM EDT
Hi.
Last summer our Honeycrisp was struck by lightening. I pruned back the most damaged branches and have fertilized . However I am afraid I haven't done enough. There are obvious dead branches where all the leaves have fallen. The leaves that remain look like the photos included.
Thank you for your help_
Will County Illinois
Expert Response
Hello Jennifer,
I have consulted with our commercial horticulture specialist, who works a lot with commercial apple orchards. She said that she does not see anything that would allow for a clear diagnosis to be made from those leaves alone.
She did ask a few follow-up questions. About what proportion of the tree leafed out this spring (and how much had you removed via pruning the previous year)? Was this tree sprayed with anything recently? How have weather conditions been in the past month or so, or since you started seeing the die-off of leaves? Have there been periods of drought stress, or has the soil moisture been kept at adequate levels? Have there been any other stresses of note this season, such as insects? Did it produce any fruit, and if it did, what does it look like?
If you can provide some answers to those follow-up questions, we may be able to better diagnose the issue and provide a prognosis on the survival of the tree.
Talon Becker
Illinois Extension
I have consulted with our commercial horticulture specialist, who works a lot with commercial apple orchards. She said that she does not see anything that would allow for a clear diagnosis to be made from those leaves alone.
She did ask a few follow-up questions. About what proportion of the tree leafed out this spring (and how much had you removed via pruning the previous year)? Was this tree sprayed with anything recently? How have weather conditions been in the past month or so, or since you started seeing the die-off of leaves? Have there been periods of drought stress, or has the soil moisture been kept at adequate levels? Have there been any other stresses of note this season, such as insects? Did it produce any fruit, and if it did, what does it look like?
If you can provide some answers to those follow-up questions, we may be able to better diagnose the issue and provide a prognosis on the survival of the tree.
Talon Becker
Illinois Extension
