Fungus on apple tree

[gemjen]

I have recently moved into a house with two apple trees. Last year the tree had an abundance of apples but I have now noticed one of the large branches is covered in fungi. Could anyone give me some advise on treating the problem as I really do not want to lose the tree. The fungi extends the whole length of this one branch.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Jeanette

[veggiechicken]

Hello Jeanette and welcome to the Grapevine.

I can't enlarge your photo to see the detail but it looks like Auricularia auricula: The Jelly Ear (MushroomExpert.Com)
Did the branch have leaves/fruit last year? Has it been damaged?
This sort of fungus grows on decaying wood and you may have to remove that branch to stop it spreading to the rest of the tree.
Somebody more experienced with fruit trees will be along soon

[FB.]

Most of the time the wood inside the tree is dead (often due to careless past pruning) and the fungus is feeding off the dead wood.
The outer part of the branch may be alive and quite happy. Most trees end up being hollowed-out by fungi or animals.

Some more pictures from various distances and angles would be useful - including one or two pictures of the whole tree to put things into context.

But I suspect that either there's nothing that can be done and the tree has to live with it, or a substantial amount of the tree will need removing to get rid of the fungus. It is very unlikely that any sprays will work because they won't get deep into the tree in the dead wood.