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Fruit Tree Diseased

12 years ago

I've been in this home for three years and this tree has never produced leaves all over, nor have I gotten a chance to see the fruit that grows from it. By the time I notice the fruits the birds have gotten to them. They appear to be cherries but I'm not very sure. There were two of these trees but I cut one down last year after not seeing one leaf and noticing a green coating all over it. But because this one actually had some leaves I left it. I did find that the previous owner had a blue tarp and plastic covering the roots under the layers of mulch. At that time I also noticed there were ants that completely inhabited the mulch as well.

This year I noticed this fungus growing on it. We are experiencing a heat wave here in the Chicagoland area and I'm not sure what effect this is having on the tree either but I thought I would show it here and see what if anything I could do to save it. I tested the elasticity of the tree today and snapped one of the branches in half. It's not looking good for this poor tree. :(

Thanks for any help you provide!

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Comments (4)

j0nd03
12 years ago
Everywhere you see fungus you are seeing the result of dead wood being decomposed. Time to remove at least the apparently girdled trunk and possibly the whole tree if it is in decline as you state.

John
Konrad___far_north
12 years ago
I would cut all large diameter trunk even with the ground, let the little suckers take off.
Looks like a choke cherry?..You might have lots of little one's come up, next spring cut some out and perhaps let 3 stems be the leader, ...keep cutting off new suckers every spring.
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msdeed
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for your inputs. I pretty much decided to cut it down but I was hoping there was some way to save it. Thanks again!
arktrees
12 years ago
Agree with John. Probable time for this one to go. They all hit the ground eventually. Maybe 10 years, may be 400. But they all go for one reason or another. However, also realize this opens the door to replant with something of your choice if you are inclined to do so. Many people here are very happy to help you make a good choice if you choose to plant something.

Arktrees

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