My new apple tree has two holes in the bark -- please help.

14 years ago

I planted a Goldrush whip 8 weeks ago. It has two small holes in the bark, the larger of which looks worrysome to me -- I wonder if it's some pest, but I have no idea. The tree appears otherwise healthy, though the leaves do have small orange spots -- I thought it was too early for rust? Anyway I'm confused as to what, if anything, to do.

I am unable to post photos here so I posted two over in the Gallery section of the trees forum. Please take a look and let me know what you think. Thanks very much!

Here is a link that might be useful:

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Comments (5)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
14 years ago
jayco: The hole is nothing to worry about. That has resulted from some form of physical injury. Mine have plenty from recent hail. They will heal over in a yr or two.

I'd be more concerned about the orange spots. Looks like cedar apple rust to me. There are current and past threads on CAR.

The Fruitnut
jayco
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Fruitnut, I was worried about it partly because of the way it's pulled away from the trunk and you can see the wood beneath. But I'm relieved if it's likely to heal itself.

About the spots, we definitely have cedar-apple rust around here and our mature trees (McIntosh) always have it to some extent. I am not worried about the fruit being blemished (eventually, I mean), I am only worried about the health of the little tree. We don't want to have to spray, but if it were just a matter of temporary measures I'd be willing.

I will look for the other threads; thanks.
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jellyman
14 years ago
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
jayco
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you, Don. The tree appears healthy, though almost all the leaves have the orange spots. It has leafed out very well and branches are growing nicely. Our mature trees do not have the problems you described. Our fruit tends to be blemished but perfectly edible -- in fact delicious and not half-bad looking!

So, do you think the CAR will have a bad outcome on the small tree's ability to grow and establish itself?

Thanks again both of you for your advice. It's so nice to have this forum to be able to ask these pressing questions!
thomis
14 years ago
The CAR should not hurt your young tree. If you did all the other stuff right like get the soil right, eliminate competition from weeds, etc.. then the young tree should continue to put out new growth which will not be affected by CAR. The CAR is done until next spring.

I have young Goldrush trees, too. Goldrush is highly susceptible to CAR. Do plan on spraying next year for CAR or it will ruin your chances of getting Goldrush apples. I don't think your Macs are as susceptible to the fungus.

Good luck!
Goldrush apples are amazingly delicious.

My new apple tree has two holes in the bark -- please help.

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fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

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My new apple tree has two holes in the bark -- please help.

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fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

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