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Fungus infested apple tree? Can is be treated? #314728

Asked April 19, 2016, 6:54 PM EDT

We have a very old apple tree with four trunks coming off the main trunk - last weekend's snow here took down one of these trunks near the base. Turns out it was riddled with a white spongy substance (see pictures). We had dead wood along the top, fungus(?) working in from the surface and white fungus(?) through the wood. Questions are: What is it? Is it treatable? Is it likely to be local to this branch, or is it most likely systemic – is it likely I’ll lose the whole tree?

Jefferson County Colorado

Expert Response

Your pictures are showing a wood rot. Wood rots are not treatable. I suggest you hire a certified arborist to help decide if the tree is salvageable, as this tree should be examined in person. One place to find an arborist near you would be to go to this website, the American Society of Consulting Arborists:http://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818
You can also check the Rocky Mountain chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture's web site to find one near you:http://www.isarmc.org/Find-a-Certified-Arborist
Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2016, 12:44 PM EDT

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