Older apple trees in particular sometimes become susceptible to various diseases or a large-scale fungal infestation. If your apple tree loses its bark on the branches or trunk, this can have different reasons.

Sometimes bark shedding is not a serious problem

There can be very different reasons for the bark falling off the trunk of an apple tree. With some apple varieties, the trees tend to partially shed the bark as they get older. However, this is harmless as long as the apple tree shows no other signs of disease such as brown leaves or damage to the sap-carrying layer between the trunk and the bark. Small cracks in the trunk bark can be closed with a wound sealant from a specialist shop in order not to offer any potential fungal attack.

Curb fungal infestation and pests with tree pruning

Various insects or fungi can be among the many reasons why the bark detaches from the trunk. Sometimes ants further gouge existing cracks in tree trunks. This also opens the door to other pests, which, however, cannot really be combated effectively in private gardens due to the lack of approved pesticides. The Diploida Mutila fungus causes the bark and the water-conducting layer to flake off the tree trunk, thereby opening up further areas for infestation with the dangerous fungus. As a private gardener, you can only contain the spread by taking preventive measures and burning affected branches.

Temperature differences can crack bark on apple trees

Sometimes, severe temperature fluctuations can also cause the bark on the trunk of the apple tree to burst open. The trade has ready-mixed preparations ready for a white trunk coat, which helps prevent frost damage in winter by reflecting the light. You can also mix the porridge for the trunk painting yourself from the following ingredients:

  • lime
  • Clay
  • Herbs such as horsetail
  • fresh cow dung

Along with regular tree pruning, such a trunk coat also protects against pests and fungal diseases.

tips and tricks

If the first cracks and bare spots appear on the trunk of an apple tree, you should react quickly. Because the tree's supply of water and nutrients is routed below the bark, bark damage can endanger the overall survival of the tree.

Category:

Trees