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Apple with white fungus on cut branches - care advice needed

ck_gardenerck_gardener Posts: 25
in Problem solving
I bought a James Greave apple tree from my local market 2 years ago.

It came about .75 metre high with one centimeter-wide trunk.   Up this trunk it had about 15 scars where branches had (I guess) been cut off in the past.

This tree was not expensive.  I guess I should have bought better.  But I get attached to my plant family.  Is it worth my energy?

For the last 2 years I have found that as the growing season begins, many of the "pruning  scars" on the trunk develop a spreading frothy coat of white, which I guess is fungus or mold.  Anyway, I treat it with a sprayer containing water, a spot of washing up liquid, and some cooking oil which gets rid of the symptoms for a while. 

Question one:   What should I be doing to eradicate the white fungus / mold?

This year the dear little tree (even though I had to put it in a pot because I am moving soon) produced over 50 apples.  I have pruned them down to 5, and they are now expanding in size in front of my eyes.

Question two:    On a spindley tree I have had 2 years, how many apples should I allow?

Question three:    I hope to be moving soon.  The garden I am getting is (sadly) small.  Can I train this little apple up one of my fences?


Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    Hi @ck_gardener Sorry you have not had a response to your thread. It's unfortunate if the person who could help you isn't on the forum at the time you post as then it gets left behind. Maybe if we bring it to the fore again that person will be available. Hope you haven't moved already!  :)
  • AsarumAsarum Posts: 661
    Have you examined the froth? Is there any sign of an insect or grub inside it?  I’m thinking of woolly aphid.
    East Anglia
  • ck_gardenerck_gardener Posts: 25
    Hi, I have looked closely at the white froth and found nothing but froth.  But I have to admit my eyesight isnt brilliant.  Please, if I was to worry about frothy things what features should I be looking out for?

  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Hi, hope this reaches you in time. I had the same problem with my apple tree. By getting cotton wool soaked in methylated spirits and dabing the fluffy covering I got rid of them. It’s called woolly aphid I believe. Good luck Val.
  • quarteracrefarmhelpquarteracrefarmhelp Posts: 16
    depends on the variety as to whether it will train easily. I tend to not recommend growing hard against a fence for these reasons 1) the fruit get damaged by the fence , 2) the fence gets damaged by the tree 3) pests and spiders love it 4) fence gets unsightly and you cannot paint or repair it . However it is better trained against a fence than no tree at all , and espaliered trees are better to maintain and fun to do. valerieroberts and asarum has the right idea about the woolly aphid . good luck with your move and hope the tree does well at new place   
    Grow it yourself, it's worth it in the end. . . 
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