What is the growth on my apricot and plum trees and what measures can I take to control it?
Question:
I noticed last summer that both my apricot tree and plum tree displayed some sort of growth that I wasn’t able to nip in the bud. Now that it’s spring, I’m wondering if you could help identify what may have caused the diseased looking growth and what I might be able to do for the trees this year?
Answer:
Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant
My colleagues think that this may be sunscald/bark splitting rather than a disease. Sunscald is more common on young trees and a variety of deciduous trees that naturally have thin bark. It is most commonly prevented by using light colored tree wrap or white latex paint to reflect light and protect the younger tree from damaging temperatures during the first few years of growth. At this point, there is not much you can do about the damage. The damaged areas can keep healing, but should not be painted or filled with any sealing substance at this point.
The University of Connecticut has a nice article about sunscald and frost cracks that includes cultural controls that you can look at and apply if you see fit, as well as considering getting tree wraps to use on your trees for this next winter.
This article was helpful in describing sunscald as well.