Fruit trees look half dead - Ask Extension
I have 4 apple trees, 4 pear trees and 1 crabapple. Also several non-fruit trees. Many of the branches and whole limbs on each fruit tree look black w...
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Fruit trees look half dead #334931
Asked June 21, 2016, 2:50 PM EDT
I have 4 apple trees, 4 pear trees and 1 crabapple. Also several non-fruit trees. Many of the branches and whole limbs on each fruit tree look black with no life at all and then some on the same tree are green with fruit. The non-fruit trees look fine. I do notice a ton of insects but last year all trees Had tons of fruit. I cut off most dead but Any thoughts on what it can be and how to treat?
Macomb County Michigan
Expert Response
It is difficult to diagnose the problem based on the pictures.
There are various insects such as scale and borers and diseases such as fire blight and black rot that can cause limb death. Plus the low temperatures winters of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 were hard on elderly fruit trees, particularly ones that were of low vigor. But, more pictures, including some good quality closeups, would be needed to determine if these factors were involved.
The tree in the 2nd picture (middle) would benefit from some whole limb removal to allow light into the lower canopy. Poor access to light will cause inner limbs to decline. If your fruit trees have not been regularly pruned this could be a source of your problems.
It is best to prune fruit trees in the February to late April time, although dead limbs can be removed anytime. Also a rule of thumb is to remove no more than about 20% of the canopy in one year. Some light summer pruning could be done if the trees are in general healthy. See the following link for suggestions regarding pruning mature trees.
http://williamshane.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/0/7/27077603/pruning_old_apple_trees.pdf
There are various insects such as scale and borers and diseases such as fire blight and black rot that can cause limb death. Plus the low temperatures winters of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 were hard on elderly fruit trees, particularly ones that were of low vigor. But, more pictures, including some good quality closeups, would be needed to determine if these factors were involved.
The tree in the 2nd picture (middle) would benefit from some whole limb removal to allow light into the lower canopy. Poor access to light will cause inner limbs to decline. If your fruit trees have not been regularly pruned this could be a source of your problems.
It is best to prune fruit trees in the February to late April time, although dead limbs can be removed anytime. Also a rule of thumb is to remove no more than about 20% of the canopy in one year. Some light summer pruning could be done if the trees are in general healthy. See the following link for suggestions regarding pruning mature trees.
http://williamshane.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/0/7/27077603/pruning_old_apple_trees.pdf
