Bark damage and a weird hole in my apple tree

14 years ago

Greetings!

My property came with an old apple tree about which I don't know very much, except that the apples are tasty. It has some bark damage on one of the limbs. Can anyone tell me what the cause might be?

Picture 1:

{{gwi:75129}}

Picture 2:

{{gwi:75131}}

The tree also has a hole in the trunk big enough to admit a finger. It is about four feet off the ground, near the crotch.

Pic:

{{gwi:75133}}

I'm new to fruit growing, so any help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Stella

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
14 years ago
The bark damage is probably sunburn. I say that because it is on top of a large horizontal limb. Perhaps someone did some pruning in that area and exposed the limb to excess sun. Painting such limbs and the trunk with a 50:50 mix of white interior latex paint and water will help from having this elsewhere. It probably won't help the current limb much but won't hurt either.

The hole is where a limb died and rotted out. Trim any dead limbs back to the collar. The collar is a ring of raised tissue at the junction of a limb and a larger limb. In other words don't leave a stub but don't cut a wound any bigger than necessary when pruning out a limb.
stella_h
Original Author
14 years ago
Should I plug the hole with something, or is it better to leave it alone?
Related Discussions
My new apple tree has two holes in the bark -- please help.
Q
Comments (5)
Jayco: Cedar apple rust is a disease that is active very early in spring, mostly April and in colder areas may up to mid-May. If your CAR problems amount to only a few spots on the leaves, and the disease has not caused serious problems on the fruit of your bearing Macs, you have relatively mild cases. But a serious CAR outbreak on the fruit distorts and ruins the apples, often leaving them to rot right on the trees. If you ever see a greasy yellow/orange substance on the calyx ends of the fruit, you may want to consider preventive measures, which must be taken early. All spraying is temporary. I sure wish it was permanent. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
...See More
Holes in apple Tree Bark from ???
Q
Comments (5)
I'd put a hole in the back of the sapsucker's head about the same size as the ones he put in that tree. Unreal, apparently they cant just stick to POS white pines. Sorry to see this man, I hope your tree recovers OK.
...See More
Young apple tree with weird hole in bark? -- tthe bigger one
Q
Comments (0)
The first message I posted only showed the smaller of the two holes. Here's the bigger one. Image link:
...See More
Is this just normal bug damage on my apple tree?
Q
Comments (9)
Agree w/ken on the large leaves and I would not worry to much BUT the little baby leaf above that big leaf (2nd pic) what is going on with the very tip. How much water are you giving it in Salt lake. Apples need a lot of water. If not on a drip, dig a depression moat around the base of the tree and fill with water. Remove any grass or weeds from the trunk out to the edge of moat berm. Depth s/b about 2" deep and about 3' out from ONE side of the trunk(6' in dia.)now you can use the hose, water on dribble. Fill up the depression with water. Slow and deep. .......................................Use the "fruit and orchard forum" maybe it will work a little better for ya
...See More
brandon7 TN_zone7
14 years ago
Don't plug the hole! That would only increase potential for rot/deterioration and would do absolutely nothing to help your tree in any way. Besides that, it looks like your tree may successfully seal over the wound in a short time.

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Add an Apple Tree to Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Readily available, beautiful and fragrant, apple trees offer four-season interest along with crisp, juicy fruit

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Best-Behaved Trees to Grace a Patio

By Bill Marken

Big enough for shade but small enough for easy care, these amiable trees mind their manners in a modest outdoor space

Full Story

FALL GARDENING 6 Trees You'll Fall For

By Therese Ciesinski

Don’t put down that spade! Autumn is the perfect time for planting these trees

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

By Bill Marken

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Pretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots

By Frank Organ

Choose trees for their size, shape and rate of growth — or shape them to fit your space. Here's how to get started

Full Story

TREES 7 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees to Plant this Fall

By Brian Barth

If you live in a neighborhood with roaming deer, consider these beautiful trees that won't tempt hungry guests

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES When and How to Plant a Tree, and Why You Should

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Trees add beauty while benefiting the environment. Learn the right way to plant one

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

Full Story

FALL GARDENING 11 Trees for Brilliant Fall Color

By Marianne Lipanovich

Give your landscape the quintessential look of autumn with the red, orange and yellow leaves of these standouts

Full Story

CHRISTMAS Real vs. Fake: How to Choose the Right Christmas Tree

By Houzz

Pitting flexibility and ease against cost and the environment can leave anyone flummoxed. This Christmas tree breakdown can help

Full Story

Bark damage and a weird hole in my apple tree

Comments (3)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

stella_h
Original Author

Related Discussions

brandon7 TN_zone7

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Bark damage and a weird hole in my apple tree

Comments (3)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

stella_hOriginal Author

Related Discussions

brandon7 TN_zone7

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

stella_h
Original Author