This publication briefly describes 64 of the more common trees present in Michigan. Royal Horticultural Society: Apple Canker, University of California: The California Backyard Orchard: Apple (Malus Domestica), University of Vermont: Key Arthropods and Diseases Affecting Apples, University of California Statewide Integrative Pest Management Program: Pacific Flatheaded Borer -- Chrysobothris Malis, University of California Statewide Integrative Pest Management Program: Shothole Borer, North Dakota State University: Hortiscope: Questions on Apple Disease, Bread and Roses Gardens: Apple (Malus Pumila/Domestica). Symptoms of fire blight include die back of branches, leaves and blossoms and depressed areas on the bark that will be discolored and are, in fact, areas of the branches that are dying. Trees identified in this bulletin. Peeling Bark. Also called papery bark, sappy bark is caused by the fungal pathogen Trametes versicolor that attacks older apple trees. Dig out cankers from larger branches so that there is no brown dead wood, only healthy green tissue. Pathogen/Cause . The infected bark peels away from the tree, which exposes the decayed tissue underneath. A second application may be required if the fungal disease is severe. Black rot canker has been the most common issue, and the rest of this article will cover this disease and the associated problem known as frogeye leaf spot. The fungus often attacks trees already weakened or dying back due to other problems Erwinia amylovora (Burrill 1882) Winslow et al. Fire Blight. Remove and destroyed infested branches as soon as possible. It is designed to assist anyone with an interest in tree identification in becoming better acquainted with some of the most important trees in the state. According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, these cankers grow only a few inches a year, so they can be removed from the apple tree before severe damage has occurred. This looks raised around the edges, but shrunken and dead in the center. Be sure your tree is a hemlock: Identifying hemlock trees. As these spots age, the margins remain purple, but the centers … Trees most susceptible are those under drought stress. To combat canker, remove small branches completely. Main area bark is being shed is about a foot off the ground. The fungal pathogen infects the apple tree through pruning cuts on large branches and causes the infected bark to decay, discolor and develop a spongy texture. Begin checking your apple trees for signs of infection about a week after the petals fall from your apple blossoms. Illustrations, keys and other descriptive information are provided. Apple Scab. The lesions are sunken into the bark and contain dead tissue. They also indicated that the bark is shed all the way to the wood underneath. The Bark Is Breaking on the Apple Tree: What Do I Do About This Problem? Botryosphaeria canker is a disease of apple trees that doesn't always exhibit symptoms on the fruit, but almost always is evident on the twigs and limbs. One of the most common diseases, apple scab, is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. My Purple Plum Tree Looks Black Like Fungus: What Is This? Early symptoms are often limited to leaf symptoms such as purple spots on upper leaf surfaces. Maintaining a healthy, happy tree will help prevent disease and pest infestations. Another sign that your tree has a disease is peeling bark. Factors such as location, weather, and upkeep play a part in which issues your apple tree encounters and how well it stands up against them. Biopesticides and biological pesticides. Apple tree has bark falling off. During periods of dry summer weather, prune and destroy infected wood from the apple tree. Introduction. Boring insects such as flatheaded borers and shothole borers may attack apple trees, leaving behind deep tunnels. 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