Can I Save My Apple Tree?

Question

Crinkled leaves and rubbish apples most years, gave it a bit of a drastic prune and found brown spots in the wood, what is it? Can I save my tree or should I just buy a new one?

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Answer 1

Unfortunately, it is going to take a lot of work to be able to grow another apple in that spot. Personally, I would choose a different, and unrelated, tree species.

You will need to decontaminate that soil, still.

Start by treating with a fungicide. Copper fungicides are going to be your best bet, here. Initial treatment will remove most of the bacteria from your soil. You will need to do a little more work after this.

After your first treatment, try and till up and remove as many roots as you can.Once you have done this, cover the spot with clear plastic sheeting for several months. This will heat, or solarize, the soil. This will remove all remaining infection. Once this is done, you can test and fertilize the soil.

The next season after treatment you can plant another tree. While it may be safe at this point for another apple, there is a large chance that the disease will return. This is likely to kill off another tree. It is advised to choose a fruit that is not related.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm