AusBonsai

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This apple tree had been chopped and planted in a large pot nearly a year ago and since then the new shoots were attacked by possums so I had to ring fence it. Since then it has put on some growth. But a week or so ago when I thinned out the new branches, I noticed that the thick old branches are dieing back currently it dies back to the point where the growing shoots are. This is happening all through out the tree. Is this normal and I should just wait it out or do I need to do anything?
Also there is one large section along the main trunk which has also died in a 'v' shape.
Appreciate any suggestions.
For context the pot sits on a location that gets good noon sun, and is under a huge Eucy


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I've had the same thing happen after pruning crab apples. Branches and trunk die back much like yours. Don't know why?


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A little help anyone out there. Please don't want to lose such a thick trunk by not doing something.

Generally die back occurs because a plant was cut at the incorrect time of the year. Certainly we have learnt over time that winter pruning of Japanese Maples results in die back and most people now trim (cut) in summer. This is one possible cause, but now the important part is to ensure the remaining parts stay healthy. This is an ideal opportunity to practice your carving skills!.

Hi Watto,
Thanks for your reply. I had chopped the trunk in October last year when the tree was in its dormancy which I thought is the right time for deciduous trees. And the tree went on like this until very recently and hence the concern whether there is a fungus involved.


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Apple trees suffer with gumosis and need routine spraying of copper oxychlorate. There might be other treatments out there and would look for an unhealthy sap draining from the tree.

bodhidharma wrote:Apple trees suffer with gumosis and need routine spraying of copper oxychlorate. There might be other treatments out there and would look for an unhealthy sap draining from the tree.

Yeah, my flowering peaches got die-back because of this. Where do we get the copper oxychlorate Bodhi? Bunnings?

kvan64 wrote:Yeah, my flowering peaches got die-back because of this. Where do we get the copper oxychlorate Bodhi? Bunnings?
Re: Help with apple tree branch die back

Hi K64, most good nurserys would stock it i am sure. I had to mix it into a paste to save my Malus but it worked a treat. Spraying it early is best. Prevention rather than cure.

Does this happen to crab apples too?

Am I missing something here? The top of the tree will die back to the point of the highest shoot, especially since the chop was done a year ago. Unless there are some dormant buds in there the tree has no reason to support that part of the trunk.

Matt.

Matt, now that I think about it that may actually be the case because the plant is generally healthy. Phew. I still don't know why a big chunk of the main trunk died though. Mmmm do you think the sun could have been a cause?


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The vascular system carries water and nutrients between the leaves and the roots. After a major chop the parts of the system that are no longer needed are cut off by the tree. In this case there was no longer a viable path along that part of the trunk.

As Watto said, time for some carving!


Matt.

Trees can reroute sap paths if needed. Pruning does not always cause dieback down the trunk like this.
Sunburn could be a possibility. When fruit trees are really hard pruned the orchardists often paint the trunks with white paint to protect the bark from direct sun. I have seen bark damaged by strong sun even though the canopy was not pruned.
The dieback could also be a combination of the hard top reduction - nowhere for the sap to feed above ground as matt said and major root reduction - nowhere for the sap to come from/go to below ground.

Aki has already pointed out the live parts are generally growing well so the whole plant is not at risk at this stage. It may need some carving or other remedial work to make it look attractive but could still be good as bonsai.