Spider wrote:
"Broadback" wrote in message
...
All my fruit trees have abundant blossom this year, great, thought I.
However I was down by an apple tree this morning, warm, sunny little wind.
The abundant blossom was fully open, but now sight nor sound of bees,
would not it have been normal for the bees to be bust setting my apples?
--
Please reply to group,emails to designated
address are never read.


Hi, your post reminded me of the split trunk damage to your Cox's Orange
apple tree. My RHS guide says that stems with split bark can be caused by
frost damage and irregular growth due to faulty root action. Both cause
longitudinal splitting of the bark. Affected shoots may show discoloured
foliage, or die back. It suggests cleaning the wound by cutting out any
rotten tissue. Remove any dead wood. Then remedy (by watering and
mulching, or draining, as necessary. Then feed.

Since your tree's damage is on the trunk, you can't easily cut it out!, but
perhaps you can clean it up and sterilise it in some way, or use a pruning
paint.

How is the tree? Is it coping with the damage?

Spider


Thanks spider, actually I contacted the chap who sold it to me. The fact
that is is on the Southern aspect of the tree makes him virtual certain
that it is frost damaged, caused when a good freezing thaws quickly. He
also says that it will not harm the tree.

--
Please reply to group,emails to designated
address are never read.