Mold on an apple tree: how to get rid, causes and methods of treatment with a photo

The environment is rife with microorganisms and spores of all kinds of fungi, in an inert state, waiting for the right moment. Dampness combined with heat provokes the appearance of mold on the apple tree. At the same time, he althy apple trees can cope with fungal infections. It is necessary to carry out preventive treatments of trees and treat them in time if mold damage is detected.

Reasons for appearance

The following causes of mold are distinguished:

1. The presence of a wound on a tree is a direct road to fungi.
2. Excessive humidity and heat.
3. The appearance of moisture on the bark as a result of untimely or insufficient pruning of the garden, not creating sufficient ventilation.
4. Not taking preventive actions: pruning trees, spraying against diseases and pests before and after bud break, use of sprinkling when watering, monitoring the condition of trees, whitewashing trunks from burns when exposed to the sun.

Types of mold

The following types of mold are distinguished:

1. Sooty - appears on the bark, foliage, branches, fruits in the form of a black coating. This type of mold finds nutrition in the liquid flowing from the tree, and also feeds on the remains of the vital activity of insects such as aphids and moths.Accordingly, insects are less dangerous than the resulting disease. At the same time, fruits affected by dark spots are edible, they simply have a non-marketable appearance, they are poorly preserved (rot quickly).
2. Powdery mildew, also called white. A white powdery dirty coating is formed on the foliage, after which it acquires a brown tint, the branches dry and turn yellow, there is no fruit set.
3. Scab - found in the form of many brownish spots with a rough structure on the fruit. The reason is excessive humidity, stagnant air in the foliage area. At first it is imperceptible, the mold infects the leaves, and greenish spots with a brown tint form on the inside. After the mold moves to apples.
4. Lichen is not dangerous for the tree, because it has no roots, the fungus does not drink apple juice. This type of mold lives with single-celled molds that feed both of them. There are various colors: gray, with a hint of silver, yellow with a greenish tint, blue.The formation of this type of mold indicates that the tree has weakened. At the same time, it should be taken into account that pathogens of certain diseases and insects survive the winter well in them.
5. Red - appears in the formation of red sores on the tree with a brownish tint. It is called cytosporosis - a fungal infection of the cortex. It affects the tree in a similar way to black cancer. The only difference is that with cytosporosis, an apple tree can be saved. In case of delay, the infection will spread rapidly. All fruit crops will be in danger. On the affected bark, plates of a whitish, black or grayish tint are visible. Upon close inspection, the threads are distinguished.
6. Black, called cancer, this disease leads to the death of a tree within five years. The danger lies in the fact that the whole garden can suffer. Cardinal measures: remove and burn all affected branches, treat wounds with a 5% vitriol solution and spread with var.

How to get rid of mold on an apple tree

When mold appears on a tree, it is important to find out the cause of the lesion, what mistakes were made. This is the only way to overcome the fungus and save the garden from danger. It is important to determine the line of treatment. Although young apple trees are less susceptible to damage, the fungus can also overcome them.

Young trees are easier to treat, it is necessary to treat with active chemicals, not paying attention to the timing of fruit collection. Bordeaux liquid is used, other preparations containing copper. These include: "Skor", "HOM", "Topaz".

Mature trees that have an ovary can be treated with a solution of soda (170 g per 15 l). If after processing the tree throws off the fruits, it's not scary. It will be easier for him to endure the winter by giving away the harvest. In autumn, the trees need to be rejuvenated and the trunks whitened as much as possible.

On the roots

Most often the root is not affected by mold. It can be affected by a bacterium that can cause black cancer, the most dangerous disease. On the trunk

When mold appears on the trunks of an apple tree, you must:

• first you need to determine the degree of damage: open the bark with a knife, if it falls off well, has a brownish tint, friability, eggs or larvae are present - the affected area is extensive, it is necessary to treat the tree;
• thoroughly clean with a scraper, spatula, brush;
• collect and burn waste;
• spray with copper-based product;
• it is recommended to wipe the trunk and large branches with the composition: ash, s alt, grated laundry soap (6:1:1 parts) and boil.
• disinfect with protective putty.

On leaves and branches

For the preservation of foliage and branches, it is necessary:

1. In the spring, before the first leaves appear, treat the ground and the tree itself with chemicals: copper sulfate, DNOK 1%, Nitrafen (400 g per 15 l).
2. In the last days of April, treat with Bordeaux liquid 4%, copper chloride or cuproxate. In case of damage by powdery mildew, it is recommended to treat with the preparation "HOM".
3. During the formation of buds and after the flowering process, Bordeaux liquid of 1% concentration is used.
4. After 20 days after the flowering processes, the tree is treated with a suspension of flatan, cineb or captan.
5. In order to avoid a second defeat next year, it is recommended to collect fallen leaves and dig up the ground.

Some gardeners recommend using traditional methods, but with severe damage, they may be ineffective. Treat with infusion of chamomile, ash and garlic. They are harmless, they are an excellent remedy for aphids.

On fruits

Apple damage can be fruit rot. In this case, not only the fruits, but also the foliage are affected. It is a very dangerous disease, since it is found after the flowering process, when spoiled fruits appear on the tree. Rot infects apples before they ripen. The most optimal solution to the problem is to prevent the disease. Required:

• do prophylactic treatment with Nitrafen emulsion 220 g per 10 l of liquid, DNOC - 200 g per 10 l, colloidal sulfur suspension - 120 g per 10 l;
• gather the affected fruits and destroy them, disposal takes place away from the garden;
• to carry out preventive inspection and processing of wood, the trunk must be free of cracks.

Features of treatment by seasons

Each stage of growth requires special attention and prevention and treatment.

Autumn

It is important to hold the following activities:

• collect and dispose of rotten fruits, affected bark and foliage;
• spray after picking the fruit with a solution of "Capture Oil" (40 ml) and blue vitriol 500 g per 10 l;
• in November, whitewash the trunk with the following solution: lime, clay, water (2:1:7 parts).

Spring

In the spring, the chances of stopping the formation of diseases are higher. If you process the apple tree skillfully and on time, the fruits will be whole. The preparations used in the spring will disintegrate and do no harm.

The step-by-step processing scheme looks like this:

1. Before the opening of the kidneys in the first half of March. It will eliminate wintering pests and prevent diseases. You can apply "Capture Oil" (170 ml) and "Gart" (35 g) for 12 liters. Or prepare a Bordeaux liquid: copper sulfate (120 g) and quicklime (210 g) for 12 liters. Such treatment is effective against diseases.
2. Before and during bud break in the last days of March - in the first of April. Pests wake up, and this is also another effective mold prevention. It is recommended to treat with Bordeaux liquid (more than 2 weeks have passed since the last spraying) or with an ash solution. The drug "Guardian" (3 ml per 5 l) is very effective in fungal diseases. During flowering, the apple tree is not sprayed so as not to harm the bees. But if the damp warm weather lasts for a long time, the risk of mold development increases.It is recommended to apply "Fundazim" 12 g per 5 l.
3. After flowering to prevent powdery mildew, scab. Folk ways: infusion of ash. From the preparations, the result will be given: a mixture of Antigusin (4 ml), Boxwood (3.5 ml), Capture Oil (45 ml) and Antiklesh Pro (12 ml).

Diseases become active at any time, therefore, do not limit yourself to a one-time spraying.

Best mold remedies

When deciding how to treat apple trees, it is important to know that everything depends on the growth period. According to the cultivation technique, the tree is sprayed up to 11 times during the whole season, as it is attacked by a large number of diseases and harmful insects.

Effective:

• "Topaz";
• "Boxwood";
• "Topsin";
• "DNOC";
• blue vitriol;
• "HOM";
• Fundazim;
• colloidal sulfur.

Prevention Tips

To protect your garden from mold infestation, it is important to take care of it right away:

• do sanitary cleaning: trim dead branches;
• treat sections with dissolved iron sulphate;
• remove and burn foliage in autumn;
• spray with products that have a wide range of effects: Vectra, Skor, Cumulus, Bordeaux liquid.

Growing a garden is a rather painstaking task, despite the unpretentiousness of apple trees. It is important to thoroughly monitor the condition of the tree, its trunk, carry out preventive treatments and carry out timely treatment in case of mold detection.

Recommended