Why does the trunk of the apple tree turn black and the branches dry up, how to cure the tree and what to do
Sometimes you can see how branches begin to dry out on apple trees. Many inexperienced gardeners do not pay attention to this and do nothing. However, if the trunk of the apple tree turns black, you must immediately find out the causes of this problem and cure the tree. If you do not get rid of the blackening in time, the apple tree will start to dry and perish.
Why does the trunk of an apple tree turn black?
Before you start treating apple trees, you need to figure out what caused the blackening. Most often, this problem occurs due to infection with black cancer. This pathology is one of the most common apple diseases. After infection, dark spots can form anywhere in the plant. However, it is most dangerous if they appear on the trunk, since in this case it will not be possible to save the apple tree.
To get rid of black cancer, it is necessary to identify and cure it at the initial stage of development. In a timely manner, the characteristic symptoms of pathology will help to determine that the tree is infected. These include the following signs:
- the appearance in the first half of spring of purple spots on the surface of the leaves;
- shedding of affected leaves before fruiting;
- damage to apple fruits with dark spots, inside which there are small dots of black color;
- decay and mummification of fruits.
If the above symptoms appear on the trees, then they cannot be ignored. To preserve the plants, it is necessary to immediately start treating black cancer.
Causes of a blackened trunk in a young tree
The main reason for the appearance of black cancer and dark spots on the trunk is the development of a bacterial fungus, which gradually spreads to apple trees. It is not easy to notice the fungus on your own, since its spores are colorless. Only after ripening do they turn dark with a brown tint.
The source of the fungus is the spores found in the branches of adjacent infected trees or in the bark. At the same time, spores are transmitted not only from apple trees, but also from other trees. Often, apple seedlings are infected by pears or other stone fruit that grow nearby.
The development of fungi, due to which the leaves and trunks of plants turn black, are facilitated by:
- growing old apple trees, which are poorly protected from pests and diseases;
- lack of moisture and nutrients in the soil, which leads to weakening of trees;
- mechanical damage to the trunk or burns to the leaves;
- pruning branches with non-disinfected garden tools;
- planting unzoned and unstable apple trees in the garden, which often get sick;
- the appearance of bark beetles on trees, which are carriers of fungal bacteria.
Ways to deal with a blackened trunk
The plant trunk will not be cured of blackening on its own, and therefore such a disease will have to be treated.
By a mature tree
Before starting the treatment of a mature apple tree, a preliminary cleaning of the plant is carried out. During this procedure, all infected branches are cut. Also, fruits and leaves are removed from trees, on the surface of which darkening is present. All parts of the plants removed are immediately burned to destroy the spores.
After burning the affected branches, leaves and fruits, the trees are disinfected. To do this, you can use a solution made from copper sulfate. To create it, ten liters of water are mixed with 150 grams of the substance. Spraying is carried out three times a week.
At a young apple tree
If affected areas are found on the bark of young apple trees, they will have to be removed mechanically. To do this, the darkened area of the bark is cut off and burned. Then the cut site is treated with antiseptic agents for disinfection.
It is also recommended to take care of the isolation of the cut area in advance so that air or moisture does not enter it. For this, the surface of the barrel is covered with a thin layer of oil paint or drying oil.
The branches of the apple tree dry up - what to do?
Often blackening of the trunk and leaves leads to complete drying of the branches. To save them from death, you need to figure out what to do when the branches dry.
Experienced gardeners recommend rinsing healthy tree parts. To do this, you can use Bordeaux liquid. For its preparation, 300 grams of copper sulfate are added to five liters of boiled water. Then three liters of cold water and 200 grams of lime are added to the mixture. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and filtered. When washing trees, pay special attention to cracks in the branches, which may contain fungal bacteria.
After processing the apple trees, top dressing is mandatory. Mineral and organic fertilizers are added to the soil, which normalize the supply of nutrients to the plant.
Prevention measures
So that the trunk with the leaves does not darken, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the main preventive measures:
- Do not plant apple trees near compost pits, as they make the plants weaken, get sick more often and are attacked by insects.
- Areas with a high groundwater level are not used for planting plants. In such areas, soil moisture is high, which contributes to the development of black cancer.
- During cultivation, pruning of trees is regularly carried out, during which crooked and weakened branches are removed. Also, when pruning, the crown is thinned to improve lighting and ventilation.
- It is necessary to periodically feed, water the apple trees and clear the area of weeds. In mid-spring, the skeletal branches and trunk are whitewashed with lime to protect the plant from burns and parasites.
Conclusion
Some gardeners, when growing apple trees, are faced with blackening of their trunks. Often this pathology appears due to the influence of bacterial fungi, which lead to the drying out of trees. To get rid of the disease, you need to familiarize yourself with the main methods of its treatment.
