crab apple trunk rotting? - Ask Extension
I think our crab apple tree might have something wrong with the trunk. Looks like it might be rotting? We got it trimmed a few years back and otherwis...
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crab apple trunk rotting? #130013
Asked May 27, 2013, 1:01 PM EDT
I think our crab apple tree might have something wrong with the trunk. Looks like it might be rotting? We got it trimmed a few years back and otherwise looks incredibly healthy. Do these pictures tell you anything?
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
It's difficult to tell from the pictures but it does appear that in pictures 1 & 2 there is damage that was done a long time ago. Possibly a weed whacker or mower created the injury to this tree. It has attempted to heal from this previous injury.
The 3rd picture appears to be a newer wound of unknown origin. There is new growth around the outer edge of that wound, so it appears to be in the process of "healing" over. This is called "woundwood" and this process will probably take a number of years.
Our agent for Arapahoe County looked at the photographs and suggested that you do "everything possible to maintain or increase the health and vigor of this tree so that more woundwood is formed. Apply light fertilization any time now through early July. Don't use tree fertilizer stakes, but instead water with water-soluble fertilizer at ¼ strength, or just apply a lawn fertilizer(one without an herbicide) in the mulched area at a quarter the rate it would go down on lawn. Water in after application. Don't use a high nitrogen fertilizer as it will create more problems."
The roots on this tree will extend at least as far as the mulched area in the picture, so be sure to treat that whole area covered with bark mulch.
Good luck...a little TLC may pull this tree through!
It's difficult to tell from the pictures but it does appear that in pictures 1 & 2 there is damage that was done a long time ago. Possibly a weed whacker or mower created the injury to this tree. It has attempted to heal from this previous injury.
The 3rd picture appears to be a newer wound of unknown origin. There is new growth around the outer edge of that wound, so it appears to be in the process of "healing" over. This is called "woundwood" and this process will probably take a number of years.
Our agent for Arapahoe County looked at the photographs and suggested that you do "everything possible to maintain or increase the health and vigor of this tree so that more woundwood is formed. Apply light fertilization any time now through early July. Don't use tree fertilizer stakes, but instead water with water-soluble fertilizer at ¼ strength, or just apply a lawn fertilizer(one without an herbicide) in the mulched area at a quarter the rate it would go down on lawn. Water in after application. Don't use a high nitrogen fertilizer as it will create more problems."
The roots on this tree will extend at least as far as the mulched area in the picture, so be sure to treat that whole area covered with bark mulch.
Good luck...a little TLC may pull this tree through!
