On Wed, 29 Dec 2004 19:16:59 GMT, (MG)
wrote:

Hi All

I have a n old apple tree with a nice shape and lovely fruit every
year. But it has aon old split that has become open and rotting out
from the heart of it. Its obviously a very old wound but I'd hate to
lose the tree, so was wondering if there is any 'filler' I could apply
to stop further rot. It faces upwards on a horizontal lower main
branch and as such fills with water and debris.

Also, The squirrels like this tree and clamber all over it and strip
bark off which leads to dead branches. What to do here?

Difficult to be sure without seeing it but I'd be tempted to sacrifice
the shape temporarily to get rid of the rotten branch (fillers are not
effective in stopping rot in cavities, most tree professionals I know
don't use or recommend them)
Are you sure the squirrels are doing the damage? Sure they're running
all over it but have you seen them doing it with your own eyes? I am
asking this because it's not common on apple trees but what is common
on old apple trees is the damage caused by woolly aphids, in bad cases
this causes bark loss and cankerous lesions, so just check very
carefully in crevices in the bark and in damaged areas to see if you
can find greyish white woolly congregations of aphids. What you do
about that if you find it depends on your attitude to pesticides. If
you are of the organic persuasion you will encourage blue tits and
other small birds in your garden. Otherwise you'll be looking for a
spray, it used to be tar oil winter wash applied in the dormant season
but I think that's been withdrawn. Not sure about the alternatives
atm.

=================================================

Rod

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