Q. During the past month
of high heat one limb on our apricot tree appears to have died. All the leaves on this limb dried up while
the other leaves on the tree stayed green. The limb is about 1-1/2 inches in
diameter near the base. In addition to
rough discolored bark there are a couple of amber-orange blobs of sap in this
area of the limb (photos attached).
of high heat one limb on our apricot tree appears to have died. All the leaves on this limb dried up while
the other leaves on the tree stayed green. The limb is about 1-1/2 inches in
diameter near the base. In addition to
rough discolored bark there are a couple of amber-orange blobs of sap in this
area of the limb (photos attached).
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| This borer infested limb can be replaced in three years or less in our climate and in production in three to four. |
Any hope the limb will
survive and recover next season? Should the limb be cut off now? Could this be a disease that will spread to
other limbs?
survive and recover next season? Should the limb be cut off now? Could this be a disease that will spread to
other limbs?
A. Paul. You have
described perfectly the symptoms of boring insects (borers) in fruit tree. One
limb dies while the others are healthy and frequently there is sap coming from
the limb in blobs or round balls.
described perfectly the symptoms of boring insects (borers) in fruit tree. One
limb dies while the others are healthy and frequently there is sap coming from
the limb in blobs or round balls.
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| There’s the little varmint! Under the thumb. |
Take a sharp knife and
remove the bark where you see the sap. If you are confident the limb is dead,
remove all the bark down to where the limb is still alive. Cut the limb off in
this area and hopefully the remaining stub will resprout with some suckers yet
this year that can, eventually, replace the dead limb. With some TLC that can
happen in three years or less.
remove the bark where you see the sap. If you are confident the limb is dead,
remove all the bark down to where the limb is still alive. Cut the limb off in
this area and hopefully the remaining stub will resprout with some suckers yet
this year that can, eventually, replace the dead limb. With some TLC that can
happen in three years or less.
This winter select three
or four of these suckers as possible candidates to replace the dead limb. Next
growing season you will make your final selection of one or two to replace the
dead one.
or four of these suckers as possible candidates to replace the dead limb. Next
growing season you will make your final selection of one or two to replace the
dead one.
No insecticides will do
much good on these. The insect is most likely gone and the limb is dead. Cut and replace
the dead limb with new growth.
much good on these. The insect is most likely gone and the limb is dead. Cut and replace
the dead limb with new growth.