Milky shine of an apple tree: causes and treatment, prevention and how to deal with a photo

Gardeners always rejoice in the beautiful, he althy appearance of plantings and abundant harvests. It happens that on apple trees, the leaves that open in the spring begin to brighten. Then whitish spots appear on the surface, which increase rapidly. The leaves stop growing, become thin and dry. These are the first signs of the development of a milky sheen in an apple tree. Therefore, the necessary measures are taken immediately.

Description of disease

The disease affects fruit plants. It is not observed on wild trees.

Disease occurs on apple trees:

in the North Caucasus;
in the southern regions of Russia;
in Ukraine;
in Crimea.

Air cavities form under the skin of the leaves, as a result of which the leaves become silvery and die off. The disease can develop for 3-4 years, after which the apple tree dies.

Causes of occurrence

There are two types of disease:

Parasitic. This kind of milky sheen causes a fungus. It appears after a harsh winter on apple trees affected by the cold. The trunk of the tree becomes dark. Fruiting bodies of the fungus are visible on dead branches. The spores infect the crop in spring and autumn when the weather becomes wet. Penetrates through wounds and cracks.
Non-parasitic. Occurs during air and soil drought, after sudden changes in temperature in a short period of time, during severe frosts.Most often, the disease disappears after the onset of favorable weather conditions. The disease is usually noticed in August and immediately on all leaves.

Reasons:

freezing wood in early spring;
sunburn;
damage to roots with agricultural implements;
damage to trees by insects.

Contributes to the development of the disease:

cold and rainy autumn;
lack of mineral s alts in the apple tree;
prolonged humidity.

The disease is very rare and poorly understood.

Manifestations of disease

The first manifestation is a change in the color of the foliage. It becomes whitish-matte with a brilliant tint. On branches affected by the disease, apples develop poorly and fall off early. After three years, the branches completely dry out. The disease covers some areas, sometimes the entire apple tree.

Apple milky sheen treatment

The disease must be recognized in time. The affected branches are cut out, otherwise the disease will spread through the apple tree with lightning speed, and it will die. It will be impossible to cure the plant.

Silver spots appear not only on the leaves, but also on the bark. In this case:

the affected area is cut out;
the surface is cleaned;
washed with the prepared solution, for this, 400 g of copper sulfate are diluted in a 10-liter bucket of water.

When a milky sheen appears, treat all wounds through which the disease easily penetrates. To do this, use:

water-based paint;
garden var;
oil paint;
plasticine.

It is impossible to fight a disease that has affected the entire tree. In this case, the plant is uprooted and burned.

Theoretically, a strong and he althy apple tree can heal itself with proper care and regular feeding. But this happens very rarely.

Most often the disease is confused with powdery mildew and the wrong treatment is used. With the full manifestation of all signs, the plant dies, and the disease moves to neighboring plantations.

If the whole tree turned silver at once, then, most likely, the apple tree was struck by a false ailment that occurs after very harsh winters. The disease suddenly appears, and then suddenly disappears after a couple of years. Therefore, there is no reason for strong anxiety. To check the type of milky sheen, cut off the diseased branch. If the wood and bark are alive, then everything is in order with the plant. Such a tree does not require treatment, it remains only to properly care for it.

Prevention measures

There are no chemical agents to combat milky sheen. The best way to avoid getting sick is prevention.

To rule out the disease, follow simple recommendations:

Protect the plant from freezing. To do this, the space around the tree is mulched.
Do not plant seedlings in wet and low-lying areas.
For frost resistance, they are fed with potash and phosphorus fertilizer.
Apple trees are watered at the beginning of the growing season, and watering is completely stopped at the end.
Dead branches are removed. The cut is disinfected and covered with garden pitch.
At the beginning and at the end of the season, apple trees are sprayed with a solution of iron sulfate.
Seedlings intended for a particular area are selected for planting.
Washing done. To do this, 2 kilograms of lime and half a kilogram of copper sulfate are added to 10 liters of water.
Fed with wood ash at the end of autumn.
Sprinkled periodically with onion infusion.