Right, we chopped back the apple tree which had gone mad through lack
of pruning for about 5 years, so earlier this year it got severely
pruned back from having a 15 foot diameter spread to, well, basically
to the trunk as near as damn it. Why? because we had some work needed
doing including a large new workshop / shed etc but that's by the by.

So, over the last few months it's basically growing again lots of twigs
and leaves but we have a couple of problems with it that I have noticed
today.

1. where one of the larger diameter branches was cut (about 3 inches
diameter) there is a strange white fluff / lichen / something like in
the picture

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw02.jpg

Anyone know what this is and if there's a treatment if necessary?

2. There's loads of green bugs, I'm assuming aphids of some variety
like in the following 2 pics

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw04.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw03.jpg

Again, what can I do about them, I don't care if i have to use
pesticides if necessary but I guess I would rather not due to my
chickens / dog / kids

I don't think it's relevant but there's also quite a lot of ants up and
down the tree as there's a bit of an ants nest in the compost bin
nearby.

I have also noticed quite a few of these too which I believe will help
keep the aphids down too.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/gw05.jpg

--
Donnie