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Fruit & Orchards

What's Happening To the Bark on my Young Fruit Trees?

15 years ago

Hello, Can you guys help to tell me what is happening to the bark on my young fruit trees? I was thinking that it might be sunscald? I do not think it is borers because it is not on the bottom of the tree where they usually start.

I have been noticing some peeling going on and new spots appearing. By the way, these are pics of my plum tree, but I also have these in spots on 2 of my peach trees and a cherry tree.

I do not have mice or moles. I do have squirrels, but I do not think it is them because if it was, they would definitley so worse damage than this. PLus, I never see them near my fruit trees. I also do not use a lawn mover or weedwacker.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1750.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1749.jpg

Should I use tree wound sealant to cover the cuts?

Please go see my pictures. Thank you so much! Christy

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Comments (7)

jellyman
15 years ago
Christy:

The longitudinal scar in the first pic appears to have been left by an egg-laying periodic cicada. Did you notice any of those last summer or the summer before?

The second photo seems to be something different, perhaps a physical injury from an animal, though I am not sure what. I wouldn't put it past a squirrel to do that.

I don't think you have much to worry over, since there is no evidence of disease, and these types of injuries are unlikely to spread. Tree wound sealers serve no useful purpose.

The question remains whether these two photos are typical of what is going on in your trees. You say there are new spots appearing, and some peeling going on, but the injuries in your photos do not appear to be fresh. If the other spots look anything like the injuries in the photos, they should not be cause for concern.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
bonechickchris
Original Author
15 years ago
Hello Don! Thankyou so much for the info! Since this seems it could be a few different things, I am going to take more pictures in the afternoon later today. I know some are from last year, but I know there are new ones because I was patching them up with the tree wound sealant (which now I know does not help. I willnot use it anymore). So A lot of the other places I have coated and are black now. I do have other spots that are not sealed, so I am going to try and get good pics. Plus, this was just the plum tree, I will also get some of the peach trees.
I know cicadas and what they sound like, and I really do not remember them last year here. Could it be something else? If this helps, I also live on a fresh-water lake, and on the other side of the lake are the New Jersey Pine Barrens. I am just trying to mention everything I can think of.
Oh, by the way Don, my husband is Don and my 2 1/2 year old is Don the 3rd!
I will post other pics tommorrow. Thanks again! Christy
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bonechickchris
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Don and others, ok, here are some other pics. some will have some tree wound sealant on it, sorry about that.
First is my cherry tree

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1752.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1753.jpg

Peach tree #1
Here is what they start out as
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1761.jpg

This I took at the bottom, I just think it is the scion? but there is an old hole here.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1764.jpg

Peach tree #2

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1773.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1766.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bonechickchris/100_1768.jpg

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to look at all these. I know it takes a while, but I truely appreciate it. I hope these other pics help. Christy
ca_cherry_grower
15 years ago
Looking at your Cherry tree, I would agree with Don. That definately looks like insect damage to me. I get the same things. For me, earwigs are the culprit. They do similar damage.
bonechickchris
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you ca cherry grower!
So assuming these are tree insects, how can I stop this? I have the Bonide Fruit Tree Spray. Is that enough or is there something else that you can recomend me to use? And should I try to fix the damage some way? Thanks again! Christy
hemnancy
15 years ago
Some of it looks a little like the damage inflicted on trees by deer rubbing velvet off their antlers. Usually it is deep scratches and may go entirely through to the wood.
bonechickchris
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the idea, but I do not have deer around here. If this is insect damage, would the regular Bonide Fruit Tree Spray be enough to control? What else can I do to prevent this or fix it? Please share your ideas! Thanks again! Christy

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