Will this get better?

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Andrew490, Jul 11, 2025.

  1. Andrew490

    Andrew490 Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2025
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +1
    Hi,
    Our apple tree has had this "hole" in it for last couple years at least. Just seems to be getting worse. What is it? Considering replacing the tree 20250619_175636.jpg 20250619_175641.jpg 20250619_175657.jpg
     
  2. waterbut

    waterbut Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2024
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Portsmouth
    Ratings:
    +744
    Did you previously have some kind of tight band around it?
     
  3. Pete8

    Pete8 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2017
    Messages:
    1,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Billericay, Essex
    Ratings:
    +2,640
    It looks like apple canker and quite advanced too.
    At that stage it almost envelops the trunk, so it's cutting off the supply of all fluids from roots to leaves.
    I think it's probably too late to save now I'm afraid, but see what others think.
     
  4. Tidemark

    Tidemark Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2024
    Messages:
    1,800
    Occupation:
    Long retired
    Location:
    Near Buxton
    Ratings:
    +4,864
    Yup, it’s not long for this world. The damage might have been caused by a tree tie or a cat scratching on it or a clumsy bit of pruning but it happened quite a long time ago.
     
  5. Andrew490

    Andrew490 Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2025
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +1
    Ok, thanks. I suspected it wasnt gonna do much good. At least it will be easy to replace at this size!
     
  6. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    56,456
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +110,193
    Actually the foliage doesn't look good either, to be honest.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Adam I

      Adam I Super Gardener

      Joined:
      Nov 22, 2023
      Messages:
      617
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Hijinks
      Location:
      Hampshire
      Ratings:
      +962
      Could it survive if cut down to like 10cm above the base? maybe plan for it dying I have seen hawthornes and stuff survive that though
       
    • Pete8

      Pete8 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 29, 2017
      Messages:
      1,046
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Billericay, Essex
      Ratings:
      +2,640
      Whilst that sounds feasible, the canker will almost certainly have spread within the tree already, so more cankers would likely appear elsewhere in time.

      It's a badly diseased tree that's best replaced.
       
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • fairygirl

        fairygirl Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Oct 3, 2020
        Messages:
        4,027
        Occupation:
        retired
        Location:
        west central Scotland
        Ratings:
        +9,202
        I'd agree with @Pete8 . That really isn't worth trying to improve. Better to replace.
        These things happen unfortunately.
         
      • Andrew490

        Andrew490 Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Jul 11, 2025
        Messages:
        4
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +1
        Would it be ok to replace this tree with another apple tree in same spot? Or could the disease be passed on?
         
      • Tidemark

        Tidemark Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 5, 2024
        Messages:
        1,800
        Occupation:
        Long retired
        Location:
        Near Buxton
        Ratings:
        +4,864
        You could try another variety that is known to be resistant to canker. Lord Lambourne, Discovery and Ellison’s Orange are all claimed to be resistant. But of course, you need to grow an apple that you like the taste of.
         
      • Pete8

        Pete8 Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 29, 2017
        Messages:
        1,046
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Billericay, Essex
        Ratings:
        +2,640
        It can be risky planting another apple in the same spot.
        Roses are well-known to suffer if planted where a previous rose has been grown, and apples belong to the same family as roses.

        Here's Google's take on it-

        It is not recommended to plant a new apple tree in the same location where a tree with canker has been removed, due to the risk of "replant disease". Replant disease can cause the new tree to struggle to establish itself and grow properly. To mitigate this, replace the soil in the planting hole with fresh soil from another area of the garden and consider adding mycorrhizal fungi to the planting hole.
        Explanation:
        • Replant Disease:
          When an apple tree is removed, it leaves behind a population of soil organisms, pathogens, and fungal infections in the soil that the previous tree had coexisted with. These can overwhelm a newly planted tree, leading to replant disease.
        • Mitigation:
          To minimize the risk of replant disease, it is recommended to replace the soil in the planting hole with fresh, healthy soil from a different part of the garden. Additionally, adding mycorrhizal fungi to the planting hole can help the new tree establish a healthy root system.
        • Canker:
          Apple canker is a fungal disease that can affect apple trees. While canker can be managed through pruning and other methods, it's still best to avoid planting a new tree in the same spot to prevent the spread of the disease.
        • Other Considerations:
          It's also worth noting that some sources suggest that replant disease is more of an issue for apples than for stone fruits, and that apple trees planted in the same location after stone fruit trees may fare better. However, it's still best to take precautions to mitigate the risk of replant disease when replacing an apple tree.
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • hailbopp

          hailbopp Keen Gardener

          Joined:
          May 25, 2021
          Messages:
          782
          Location:
          Scotland
          Ratings:
          +1,854
          Well every day is a learning day! Thanks @Pete8 would never have guessed the 2 were related. This adds to my abundant fund of useless information I have acquired over the years altho to us gardeners it is useful.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          Gardeners Corner is dependent on Donation to keep running, if you enjoy using Gardeners Corner, please consider donating to help us with our operating costs.
          Loading...

          Share This Page

          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
            Dismiss Notice