Gala apple trees turning brown in central fl

[johnfin]

Any thoughts on a treatment for these?

 

[Chuck]

If they were in focus I might be of help. But, I can tell you this. When dead leaves stay on the tree it is not a good sign.

 

[johnfin]

one pic is in focus. can liquid copper solution at the roots help.

 

[Chuck]

one pic is in focus. can liquid copper solution at the roots help.

No, if you spray the leaves it might help. Neither of those pics is in focus. If they were I could rule out some things. What makes you think it is a root problem and drenching the roots would help? Anyway, if you want help take some good close up pictures of the tree. If I can't help I'm sure on this forum can.

 

[johnfin]

its been raining alot and i know apple trees dont like wet feet hence never mulch.

 

[johnfin]

Here are some more pics from my Nikon D90. The Hasselblad is in the shop.

 

[Chuck]

its been raining alot and i know apple trees dont like wet feet hence never mulch.

MUCH better pictures. Before I make any suggestions I need to see the collar of the tree to make sure it isn't planted too deep and secondly to exclude a bad fungus called white root rot.

 

[johnfin]

The trunks look like they were hit with a weedeater but were not.

 

[Chuck]

The trunks look like they were hit with a weedeater but were not.

I hope I am wrong but I believe your tree is infected with a disease known as Crown Rot. It is caused by staying too wet too long and mainly by being planted too deep. The top of the main large roots should be visible after planting. I was hoping that the pictures of the collar would show something simple to fix but that idea is gone as the collar is already rotted/rotting. It isn't your fault though. At least 95% of the trees sold are planted too deep in the container or in most cases, soil was added by the seller as a marketing ploy. This may work and it might not work. Dig the tree completely up and wash away ALL of the soil from around the roots. Then in another place in your yard make a little berm out of garden soil. The berm should be high enough to stand above the rainwater when it rains heavily. This will provide more and better drainage so this problem doesn't happen again. Plant the tree again making sure the root flare (google root flare to understand) top is showing.. Then I would apply a product called SuperThrive per directions. You can find it at any real nursery. The following link is about the best I have seen explaining the disease.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/crown-rot-disease.htm

 

[johnfin]

I pulled one tree out and I am not sure if the roots are any good. Was covered with muck and cheese cloth from the nursery. Planted below the knot where the roots start and mounded it.

 

[Chuck]

I pulled one tree out and I am not sure if the roots are any good. Was covered with muck and cheese cloth from the nursery. Planted below the knot where the roots start and mounded it.

It looks as if everything is dead except where the new roots are growing. I can't tell for sure exactly where the healthy roots are coming from, the rootstock or the graft. Only time will tell.

 

[johnfin]

chuck, know anything about citrus trees. i have a 15' tall lemon tree that fell over in a storm. the roots were close to the surface like an oak tree. is there a way i can get the roots to go deep?

 

[Chuck]

chuck, know anything about citrus trees. i have a 15' tall lemon tree that fell over in a storm. the roots were close to the surface like an oak tree. is there a way i can get the roots to go deep?

Not that I know of. All you can do is prop and tie the tree into an upright position and hope the roots go down instead of sideways., Correct watering techniques help establish deep roots but on a 15' tree that it's a little late to have much hope.

 

[johnfin]

any chance on propagating a pear sucker?

 

[Chuck]

any chance on propagating a pear sucker?

Yes, by taking a cutting of the sucker but it looks to me as if the tree is grafted and the sucker is coming from the root stock. If so don't waste your time.