Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Peeling bark on apple tree

TraTra Posts: 38
in Problem solving
Hi there,
I have an apple tree that did not flower or fruit this year. Infact it didn't produce any leaves. The year before it produced leaves and flowers and fruited. Throughout the season the bark has peeled away - i have no idea why this has occurred - please see picture. A friend said the tree looks like it is finished but I want to make sure. I thought about having a soil or bark test to see if I can identify why this has occurred as it is rather strange. Has anyone had similar issue with apple tree? The black rings are glue banding marks from previous years. Many thanks!

Posts

  • TraTra Posts: 38
    thanks Panyface - no sheep or goats but deer yes...do you think it could be deer impacting the bark? it seems very odd - it's such a shame - it was a beautiful and bountiful tree.....
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    It looks dead to me.
  • TraTra Posts: 38
    Thanks Pansyface and fidgetbones - i had hoped there would be chance to rescue the tree - the peeling bark was not the cause of not leaves - it was first no leaves and then during this summer the bark appeared as such so I still have no idea what a healthy tree of last year this season showed no leaves....i would really like to know - I wonder if it could be issue with soil...but yes i think it does look like a deer could have caused the peeling bark....I am not sure if trees shed their bark ....
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Healthy apple trees don't shed their bark.

    Many trees have suffered from the prolonged dry spells we've had over the past few years ... if they have grass and plants growing at the base then that is competition for moisture making matters worse.  It takes a lot of moisture to produce blossom and fruit and if a tree is struggling to do that it'll weaken the tree. 

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





  • TraTra Posts: 38
    Many thanks Dovefromabove ...i think you could be right regarding impact of prolonged dry weather....is there anything that I could  do to see if the tree regrows or do you think it is now too long gone and with the bark the way it is even if it did rejuvenate, the bark would also need to rejuvenate.....i have some tree wash but i doubt this would help now...
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Healthy established apple trees don't shed their bark.  If it had no leaves in the spring, it was already dead by then, I'm afraid.  If you dig it up it may be obvious what's going on underneath - waterlogging or extreme drought, for instance.  That's particularly important if you're thinking of replacing it - I wouldn't plant another apple in the same place, I think, to be on the safe side.  

    That does look like deer damage...

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    No ... I'm sorry ... that is an ex tree ... thre is nothing you can do to revive it.

    But it is still a useful tree ... dead trees and log piles are an important resource for wildlife ... especially some of our rarer invertebrates ... see here https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/dead-wood-for-wildlife/

    Your tree still has a part to play in the grand scheme of things 🦚

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Deer cause havoc with trees.
    If you do decide to plant more - as well as checking what @Liriodendron is saying, make sure they're very well protected.  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.