New apple tree - possible canker?

Darrell-B · May 2022

Good evening,

Over the past year, I have purchased 6 apple trees and 1 plum tree.

My latest tree was purchased from a large retailer a week ago. It’s an Idared on an M26 rootstock.

The other trees are growing well with no visible damage. Unfortunately, the latest tree was an impulse buy and I never inspected it properly. I have noticed today several areas of damage to the bark. The bark is missing from these areas and the edges of the bark that remains is soggy.

Could this be canker? Or just damaged bark from a knock.

I have photos, but I can’t see an option to upload them.

Kind regards,
Darrell

Darrell-B · May 2022

I’ve just read the useful tips at the top of the forum. Apologies for missing these. Pictures below.

Darrell-B · May 2022

Many thanks for the reply. The tree has leaves on it, it even has a few apples formed. The issue is that this damage is on the main stem, and the only two side shoots. It’s also quite low on the main stem, so if I cut out all the damaged areas, I’d have a small section of about 50cm above the graft.

I had it on offer for £13. I’m not sure I can be bothered with the hassle of digging it up and returning it, so I may just remove the tree completely and burn it. I don’t want to risk the other healthy trees, some of those are only meters away.

robairdmacraignil · May 2022

To me it looks more like mechanical damage than canker disease. If the tree has leaves and gone on to form fruit it is a good sign it may not be diseased and the damage may heal up over time. It might help to remove the young fruit this year to help it focus its energy on healing the damaged bark.

Happy gardening!

New apple tree - possible canker?

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