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Very tiny borer in Apple tree #241028

Asked May 01, 2015, 6:47 PM EDT

I purchased and planted 4 Apple trees from Home Depot about 3 weeks ago. 3 are flowering and doing well and one, the Fuji, is not. At the time of transplanting it was just starting to get leaves, very small and still curled. Almost immediately these leaves turned yellow and then brown and crispy. I assumed it was a bit of shock and kept the tree watered with a 5 gallon drip bucket a couple times a week. It has since produced a few small leaves or maybe buds but they brown before they get the size of a tic tac. Today I noticed what almost look like very very tiny wine corks in the trunk of the tree. They are about the diameter of mechanical pencil lead and the longest one was about a quarter inch. They fall off at the slightest touch revealing a tiny hole, about 8 holes in total. Are these holes the cause of the trouble? Any solutions?

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

Your apple tree sounds like it failed to establish itself and there may be several reasons such as poor root stock, improper planting techniques, poor soils, etc. The small hole in the left photo looks like it may be a borer hole. Borers in general attack stressed trees and affect the vascular system. It usually is just a matter of time before the tree declines. At this point, it is recommended to return the tree. You most likely have a guarantee. You will have to decide if you want to replant.

The wine cork indentations on the bark are lenticels (pores) and this is normal.
See our publication on Getting Started With Tree Fruit http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruit-profiles/getting-started-tree-fruits and our website for more information
http://extension.umd.edu/growit/fruit-profiles/apples
mh


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