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Disease / Fungus on new trees - Please can someone help?

bradleymarchbradleymarch Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hello, I received several bare root Silver Birch trees yesterday and they're all covered in crusty white spots. Some areas look like burst pustules. Does anyone know what this is? I'm worried that it may be a disease or a fungus and if so would you advise that I complain to the supplier and return the trees? Thank you

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    If you run your fingers over the branch, do they all feel solid? If they come off on your fingers, then it's something mouldy for sure. You may need to wash your branches. From some angles, they look like the beginnings of Lichen development on the branches. They should feel raised and not come off on your fingers. Lichens do not harm the plants they grow on and in some cultures, it's used for medicinal purposes.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Could they have been sprayed with something prior to being dug up?  Or maybe they were bundled in the damp for too long, and a mildew grew on the bark?  Give them a gentle scrub with a soapy cloth and see if it cleans off a section.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2018
    I think they've been in cool storage and have a bit of mildew (not powdery mildew, the ordinary sort) .... all they need is some sunshine ... my bet is that will put them right  B)

    Plant them out asap. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bradleymarchbradleymarch Posts: 2
    Thank you. It is really rough & hard so I'm not sure if it is mildew. But I have planted them now & will hope for the best
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2018
    If it doesn't wipe off it may well be a natural feature of the bark ... the silver colour developing?
    Whatever it is the best chance your trees have is if they are planted and getting fresh air and sunshine so their roots and leaves can grow. 
    Let us know how they get on  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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