skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

What's killing my apple saplings?

14 years ago

I live in central TX. I planted 5 different apple trees last year (spring). This year in the middle of summer one of them started having a single branch die at a time from the top down. What might be causeing this? A disease, A pest? Any ideas so I can keep this from spreading to the other trees? I don't want to just pull it up and replant until I can handle the problem or it will just attack the new tree. Any suggestions?

Thanks

animalfarms

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
14 years ago
animalfarms: Don't know if this is your problem but cotton root rot is a very serious disease of apples and many other trees in central TX. It is much worse on calcareous soil than on acidic soil. So if your soils pH is above 7 this might be your problem. There is little or nothing you can do for control. A few apple growers say that sulfur to acidify the soil will help. I doubt this would help very often and certainly not after infection.

The Fruitnut
brandon7 TN_zone7
14 years ago
I'd recommend contacting your local ag extension office. Especially without more detail, it's hard for us to know what happened. Your local extension agent can review what happened first hand, and they should be very familiar with common problems in your area.

Here is a link that might be useful: Click on
Related Discussions
Did my father in law kill our 50 year old apple tree?
Q
Comments (8)
Looks like it was falling over anyway. If this little thing is 50 years old, it must be on fully dwarfing rootstock. The leaning would also fit that situation, the dinky roots that fully dwarf the top also not being enough to hold it up as it reaches full development. But: was anyone selling fully dwarfed apple cultivars 50 years ago? It probably won't die but as mentioned it will have to be worked with to get a decent shape back. Likely threats to long-term health are burning and cracking of the tops of the now fully exposed main branches, and failure to recover from its stored energy reserves being reduced by the removal of most branches - and depleted by the growing of new ones. Mature trees may be thrown enough out of balance by brutal pruning that they never regain it, and gradually sink away like the Titanic. Growth may continue for years but eventually it peters and dies. Chainsaw pruning of apple trees is epidemic out here, one of many ignorant yet pervasive practices. Most old trees have been attacked at some point, and when inspected prove to have serious decay problems in the main branches or trunk.
...See More
Cedar apple rust killing a tree.
Q
Comments (2)
Yes, cedar apple rust could kill a fledgling graft if it defoliated. Leaf hoppers often do mine in as they get dessicated when they lose their leaves.
...See More
when to plant apple tree saplings
Q
Comments (1)
I too have a few seedlings I grew from leftover apple cores, currently in pots, also approximately 8" tall. So long as you don't mangle the roots and keep them well-watered, you could plant them any time from now to October/early Nov. You will want to get them in the ground before freeze-up; nature isn't kind to potted plants in our northern climate. For rabbits and deer, the only thing you can really do is fence as securely as possible. What I do is use old tomato cages too beat-up for garden work as a scaffolding around which I wrap chicken wire.
...See More
What kind of weed killers can kill apple trees and currants?
Q
Comments (6)
Hmm... thought about it while fixing lunch... Would probably agree to this: Getting back whatever money I paid them, using those same spray idiots to get out there with shovels to remove the dead items, plus a sum equalling an average of 2 estimates for the biggest replacements available, including professional labor to do so. Ok, the part about making the spray guys dig the stumps out is probably a little "out there." But the installer of the new stuff will charge for doing that, so if necessary, get the money for that part too.
...See More
glenn_russell
14 years ago
A pic might help us be able to diagnose it.
-Glenn
brandon7 TN_zone7
14 years ago
I just noticed Gardenweb chopped off the title to my link. It was supposed to say 'Click on "Locations" tab to find your local extension office'. I bet the quotation marks had something to do with it getting chopped off.
animalfarms
Original Author
14 years ago
Sorry can't do pictures. I've never had a problem growing other stuff before. My cherry trees are doing just fine. Could fire ants have caused this?

animalfarms
jellyman
14 years ago
Animalfarms:

It may be helpful if you could describe the dead branches in a little more detail. If the problem begins with leaves at the ends of small branches blackening and drooping over, then working its way down the branch, it is possible that you have a bacterial disease called fireblight. See if you can find an illustration of apple fireblight on the net by using those keywords, and compare it with what you have seen on your trees.

Fireblight would be a long shot on such young trees, but by no means impossible. Whatever it is, you should prune out dead or dying branches as soon as they are identified. Good control of fireblight can be obtained by early sprays with streptomycin or agrimycin, but pruning is the first line of defense once the disease is established.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA
jean001
14 years ago
On young trees, a water shortage.

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

GARDENING GUIDES Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Delicious Mint

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pull out a pot for this one. Mint's spreading habit and hard-to-kill nature can be a blessing — if you're properly prepared

MOST POPULAR Why We Love Midcentury Modern Design

By Mitchell Parker

There's a method to all this 'Mad Men'-ness — just look to psychology, tough times and, believe it or not, Apple

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Stars and Myths Inspire a Contemporary London Garden

By Annie Thornton

A sinuously snaking path, tiles like dragon skin and a triad of stone apples give a British garden an air of enchantment

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

MATERIALS Mesquite: The Brawny Beauty for All Over the Home

By Karen Peterson

Denser than other hardwoods and sporting beautiful coloration, mesquite makes a fine material for flooring, countertops, furniture and more

FUN HOUZZ 14 Things You Need to Start Doing Now for Your Spouse’s Sake

By Mitchell Parker

You have no idea how annoying your habits at home can be. We’re here to tell you

HEALTHY HOME 12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating

By Becky Harris

Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team

Sponsored

Manifesto, Inc.

9 Reviews

Columbus OH Premier Interior Designer 2x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Is there any treatment for this?

3

Peach variety recommendations, please

2

best cantaloupe for this area?

0

Peach trees need help!

1

Beginner apple tree initial care

0