Apple Tree problems

[Colton_Gardner]

Good afternoon,

I'm new here but I will get straight to the point.

I have an unknown apple tree which looks really old, but I'm having a problem with Wooly Aphids and I'm not sure about the rest.
The main crown has bits that had grown off and it's housing the aphids. They are all over. I've sprayed with water and then soapy water. It's the crown I'm worried about.

I hope these links work

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5_...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5_...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5_...w?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5_...w?usp=drivesdk

Any advise I would be much appreciated. Or do I chop and start again?

Thank you
Kev

[bario1]

Hi Kev, and welcome to the forum - your links don't work for me, can you try adding your pics again using the method below?

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...one_94345.html

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

First things first, have you sampled the apples and do you like them? If yes then you can rescue the tree.

I personally don't like how the tree has been pruned but I have met someone who prunes one side one year then the other the next. I feel it may be a few years before you can whip it into shape/fruit-growth balance.

The woolly aphids need to be scrubbed with something like a toothbrush to attack the outer surface and you can also dip the brush with insecticidal soap, neem oil or similar.

As for the split in the bark I think it is just a growth split and the knobbly bits are calluses/ tree defending itself against damage so nothing to worry about. However, I could be wrong

Edit: Found an old thread regarding the knobbly calluses (aka burr knots) http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post996782

[nickdub]

Try some white spirit - the sort you use for thinning gloss paint and put it on the aphids with a soft haired paintbrush.

As for identification, if you get some fruit post a photo please when its ripe.

Best tonic for your old tree is compost/manure spread over the area of the roots - its probably been starved for years.

[Florence Fennel]

I'll try spreading some compost around my apple Nick thanks It's about 15 and I've long since forgotten the variety, but it's fruits are ready now and for the last few years have been small and full of holes. Sorry to hijack your thread Kev

[nickdub]

If the fruits are small and pinkish they might be Beauty of Bath - a quite usual early variety.

[Florence Fennel]

They are indeed Nick, but that name doesn't ring any bells

[Guest]

FF try this site https://www.orangepippin.com/varietyindex.aspx?reset=1 hopefully the name will jog your memory. There are quite a few small early apples. Are the holes maggoty holes (codling moth) ?

[nickdub]

Sometimes fruit trees are sold under incorrect or alternative names, even by reasonably reputable stores - it used to be much more of a problem times gone by when names got mixed up much more and the same variety was called by different names in different place, eg Williams'/Bartlett pear

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks Ng, but even though I trawled A-Z, my memory still fails me and yes, I bet it is the moth, how do I treat that? The apples do look like Beauty of Bath or Discovery Nick

[Guest]

Grease bands (can cause more harm than good by rotting the bark on the tree), pheromone traps (I haven't found very effective) or winter wash (kills goodies aswell). I just accept I will have to share.

[Florence Fennel]

I don't mind sharing either

[Florence Fennel]

last year - pruned all the lower branches, in fact it had an awful lot chopped off!