Contorted Filbert branch issue - Ask Extension
W We are concerned about the “cup” that is formed in the branch of our Filbert. It’s about 5 inches across 3 inches deep. What would you recomme...
Knowledgebase
Contorted Filbert branch issue #809853
Asked September 07, 2022, 3:17 PM EDT
W We are concerned about the “cup” that is formed in the branch of our Filbert. It’s about 5 inches across 3 inches deep. What would you recommend we do?
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello there. Can you please answer a couple questions so I can get a better idea about this old wound.
Any idea what caused this issue, i.e. branch removal or other type of wound? How long has this been there? Does it keep enlarging? Is it dry inside? Any idea if the bark removal and the light brown areas are being caused by a woodpecker or other critter? How old is the tree? Is this the only area on the tree that shows such symptoms? Would removal of the branch below the hole ruin the overall appearance of your tree?
Any idea what caused this issue, i.e. branch removal or other type of wound? How long has this been there? Does it keep enlarging? Is it dry inside? Any idea if the bark removal and the light brown areas are being caused by a woodpecker or other critter? How old is the tree? Is this the only area on the tree that shows such symptoms? Would removal of the branch below the hole ruin the overall appearance of your tree?
Thanks for your help solving this mystery. We have no idea what caused the issue. It was not a branch removal and we were not aware of a wound. We don’t know if it’s getting bigger. It’s only wet inside when it rains. It is likely that some critter is causing the light brown areas because the birds open their seeds on the edge of that hole. The tree is roughly 35 years old. It does need some pruning but that is one of the major branches so we’d like to keep it if possible. We already lost a branch in that area of the tree last winter when I didn’t get a heavy snow off in time. Thanks.
Hello again. I have been looking for a canker cause on contorted filberts. Unfortunately, the only one I can find is the Eastern Filbert Blight fungus (EFB). There are other fungus diseases that invade wounds on a tree. The photos you have provided did not provide conclusive evidence of this EFB that I can detect from the photos. The brown layer showing in areas under the top layer of bark is concerning. In the past contorted hazelnut trees helped to spread this disease to hazelnut orchards. The moss on your tree may be hiding more signs of the disease on the bark of your tree. The large canker you sent in the photo does not seem to be indicative of that disease and you could have another fungal disease on your tree but that is not conclusive. Since this tree is so long lived you should consult a certified tree arborist to determine just what the issue is. They can determine if the tree can or should be saved. If it is Eastern Filbert Blight, you may need to remove the tree. There was a period of time when contorted hazelnuts were not sold in the horticulture industry here in the Willamette Valley because of this disease. I do not know the dates of that time period, they can now be sold again. The age of your tree may be a cause for concern. I am including a link to the Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Handbook where you can see some photos and read about this disease. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/hazelnut-corylus-avellana-cankers I hope that this information helps you.
