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Something has eaten the buds from my apple trees! I assume this is bird damage? There were beautiful blossoms here on Sunday....
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The first picture looks as if there is also some bark damage. My suspicion would be squirrels. The suspicion rises when I see trees in the background.Originally posted by Qzy View PostSomething has eaten the buds from my apple trees! I assume this is bird damage? There were beautiful blossoms here on Sunday....
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Young trees have so few flowers that the pests usually get the (poor quality) crop before it matures anyway and you're better off without the fruit as it drains so much energy from the tree (that's why larger trees can't grow much - fruit requires an enormous amount of the trees energy).
In a few years time, there will be enough flowers to tolerate losses. A tree produces about 10x more flowers than it could carry if they all turned into fruits - so there are plenty of spares for the pests.. -
I have seen bullfinches and Pigeons amongst all the other birds in the surrounding trees but never a squirrel. Doesn't mean there aren't any though. Should I prune any bark damaged branches to avoid future issues?
I wasn't expecting any fruit this year anyway as the trees are still very young but annoyed all the same.
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Bullfinches are renowned for eating apple blossom. They do have strong beaks.Comment
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Originally posted by Capsid View Post
Finches attack a small proportion of my fruit tree blossom buds too, but I've never noticed any striped bark - just pecked-out blossom buds (blossom buds usually being protruding, large and furry).
Squirrels, rabbits or deer strip bark and the height above ground of the damage will usually indicate which is responsible..Comment
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Lots of Pecked Out Buds on the other trees (9 in total) with only a Cox's Pippin left alone
.The major damage was done on an Irish Peach tree which, along with being the earliest to blossom, is also a tip bearer but now has no tip buds!
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blue tits is the biggest problem i have every morning for sure a pair of blue tits visit for a snack on our apple trees or any other fruit tree we have
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