Question:
I’m concerned about my fifteen-year-old Apricot tree. The new growth is lush and vigorous, but in early summer, one or more branches rapidly decline and die. This is alarming, and I fear I may soon have little or no tree left. What steps can be taken to prevent this?Answer:
- The primary causes of dieback in the canopy of apricot trees are Phytophthora Root Rot and Eutypa dieback. Both diseases cause major and minor branches or limbs to die, and their symptoms look very similar. When the disease occurs, distinguish the two diseases.
- Phytophthora Root Rot, a soil-borne fungus, is the primary suspect when a limb or section of a tree fails to break dormancy and leaf out. Also, it’s the causal agent when, for no apparent reason, the foliage on a branch collapses or wilts and turns brown shortly after the rainy season concludes.
- This problem occurs in clay soils that drain poorly and receive excessive summer irrigation, usually from planting under their canopy.
- Phytophthora Root Rot affects a variety of ornamental plants and fruit trees and is a slowly developing disease over several growth seasons;
- Mature Apricots are watered every three weeks, June through October. You can use a soaker hose or a large watering basin that is filled up several times.
- You’ll find more information at ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r107100111.html.
- But I don’t think root rot is your problem. Instead, Eutypa Die Back would be my guess.
- Eutypa Die Back is only an issue with Apricot trees and grapes.
- It’s an airborne fungus that enters the tree through the pruning wounds made during the winter when it’s wet before the pruning wounds callus over.
- The affected branches or limbs collapse in the late spring, after Memorial Day, or early summer for no apparent reason.
- You prevent this by changing the time of the year you prune. It is now recommended that Apricots be pruned in the late summer. Although the leaves haven’t dropped, the tree is dormant as its growing season has concluded.
- You’ll find more information about Eutypa Die Back at ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r5100911.html.
Question:
Our Privet Hedge burned in the heat while on an extended vacation. The drip system had a problem, which has now been corrected. It looks sad right now. Will it recover?Answer:
- There is a very good chance it will improve, but you must be patient as it doesn’t happen overnight.
- Right now, I’d do nothing other than remove the burnt/brown leaves as best as you can. You’ll need to wait to see where the new growth develops and then prune off the rest of the damaged growth. This will likely not occur until next spring.
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