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Apple tree issue?!? URGENT

gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
in Fruit & veg
Hi everyone

So I was looking at my Apple tree earlier and noticed this? This is a grafted tree and the photos show the area (I think) is below the graft. Any help would be greatly appreciated!



Many thanks

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,288
    OK, nothing to worry about.

    The tree is grafted, and you think that these things are below the graft. Good.

    They are sometimes called burr knots or sometimes root initials. If they begin to appear on branches, that is not such good news. But if they appear below the graft they are not so bad.

    What they are, when they appear below the graft, is the rootstock trying to produce roots.  They can cause the tree to suffer from other problems if they get out of control, but I have several trees with them and they don’t affect the growth of the tree or its flowers or its fruit in the slightest.

    If they begin to grow roots that you can see, rather than just the nubbly black bits that are in the photo, give the baby roots a little rub with your thumb and knock them off.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Hi Pansyface, you have no idea how relived I am right now to hear this! So I did find a worm or caterpillar by the bark and it looks like I can take some of the bark of to see nice life underneath. However, the tree itself looks very healthy, plenty of leaves and is still blossoming! 

    Thank you
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    So I have just looked at the effected area again and it looks as though it’s just on the line between the graft and the tree?
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,288
    In which case, if it’s not looking ill, leave everything as it is.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Okay thanks Pansyface will do. 
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    edited April 2020
    pansyface said:
    In which case, if it’s not looking ill, leave everything as it is.
    Hi Pansyface, so I’ve had another look at the apple tree, does this look the same or worse? 




  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,288
    You can worry too much about things. 😊

    If the tree’s happy, then be happy too.  🙂
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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