Well, that's not a good idea. Those galls are caused by root aphids, and
they, over the long haul, can debilitate a crab, and make it more
susceptible to any other disease. I would bare-root the tree and
carefully wash between the nodules, using a Q-tip to get into cracks. But
of course use your judgement: if your trees are likely to be more stressed
by the bare-rooting than by the aphids, leave them be. The aphids attack
the roots of crabapples and the foliage of elms, so be alert if you have
elms.


Kevin,
I had a number of apple trees that were collected, about 45 years of age
and
they had the nodules on the roots. I never had one die or even suffer from
the disease. In fact, the appearance of the surface roots was so good I
tried to introduce it to other apples!
Jerry Meislik

Nina

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