Crab apple die-back.

[GavinG]

This crab apple grew well last season, in an 80% crushed brick/20% coco peat mix, which drained quite quickly.
When I checked it out before repotting, most of the buds are swelling nicely, but about 2/3 of the bark on the trunk seems to have died back - there's only a seam of live stuff on the other side.

P1040986.jpg

What's going on?

Any help appreciated.

Gavin

[nick-laing]

Maybe its just a natural die back. There doesn't seem to be any branches on the side that has died back. No expert on the matter but it would seem logical the tree bark would die off if it is not feeding/receiving from branches with leaves..

[jozaeh]

Hmmmm, I've only got one crab apple but it's not had any die back in the two years i've owned it. But the die back on a branchless side could be the reason. I just recently posted about a yamadori peach i have that has done a similar thing, it's shoots on the front are fine and dandy, but the shoots on the back of the trunk all died back. Ans when I cut into the bark to find live cabmium, nope!

So it seems like it's a similar thing. I'm highly speculating though, with my brain's limited power!

I like your tree anyway Gavin, it's got such character that I love to have in my trees.

Jozaeh

[63pmp]

How long has it been since repotting? When were the large pruning cuts done near the dead branch? What do you fertilize with?

Just some thoughts, perhaps the roots on one side have died from waterlogging due to root compaction from misssing a repot, or perhaps there were insuffient buds on the small branch to keep the mass of roots below it functioning vigourously. Or perhaps a combination of both.

Paul