I'm hoping some of you can help identify what has suddenly taken hold of this 7th leaf tree in our orchard. I noticed no problems at pruning this winter, (I am always looking hard for anthracnose) nor had I seen anything wrong until doing my holistic spray yesterday. Dying from the top down, blossoms and leaves shriveling up. a canker or wound I can't identify is dramatic. Does not have the characteristic strings like Anthracnose. Whatever this is, fungal or bacteria? it hit this tree FAST! We took drastic measures, cut most of the tree down to a healthy bud. One thing I know, this tree may survive if we eliminated the disease by removing so much. Any opinions will be much appreciated!!!!
Tree before cuttingClose up mid-trunk and branchescloseup scafold and latteralsscaffold with withered budsAnd last, hard to see but the healthy bud is on the far side of the stump. I'm hoping the darkened area is black rust that rubbed off from the saw. Branches we cut from higher up had dark areas in the wood. Branches that were not yet affected had clear wood in the cuts.
The stump we hope will surviveI still can't get photos to post into my text, thanks for putting up with the individual links.
Vista Ridge OrchardZone 8a in Washington
235 Cider and heritage apple trees, 72 varieties,