are my apple trees days over ?

[taweboy]

hi
i've just moved into a old house and out in the back garden is a poor unloved apple tree, unfortunately it has a considerable fungus/moss growth over it and the apples were full of brown spots last season when i arrived.
now a few months down the road and with a little more time to spare...am i thinking the tree needs to be decapitated or is there any possible way it could be saved because our local bird population seem to adore it, and in a way we do too.





help
paul

[veggiechicken]

Hello Paul and welcome. Are you a South Walian by any chance? If so Croeso!! It would be worth you putting your location into your profile as that can affect the advice you'll receive.
I can't help with your apple tree question but I have quite a few trees like that in my garden. Too big to prune but I wouldn't be without them! Maybe you can treat the brown spots problem and make it usable again.

[mrbadexample]

I think that's lichen, not fungus or moss. I know lichen is an indicator of good air quality, and as far as I can ascertain, it's not harmful to the tree.

[taweboy]

well the tree although obviously old does seem to bloom well and produce a mass of fruit, not sure what the effect of the lichen is but it does seem to be doing ok otherwise
thanks

[Thelma Sanders]

It sounds like bitter pit, which is a bit like blossom endrot in tomatoes, in that it can be the result of not enough calcium available for the fruits - because they are short of water.

[Kleftiwallah]

I would check to see if there are any horticultural colleges in your area. I suspect that if you approached them with these photographs they might be pleased to have a subject for the trainees. Under the supervision of an instructor they may do a cracking job. I agree that it is lichen and a pointer to good air quality, I should do your best to save it. Cheers, Tony.