what's killing my tree

Worm_Farmer · 03-26-2015, 03:55 PM

all of my fruit trees have what appears to be some sort of white fungus or mold growing on it they are all doing really bad and dying off. if you know what I should do please help or if you know what this stuff is please help I am in Florida.
posted with Google Voice

pmurphy · 03-26-2015, 04:46 PM

Hard to tell from the pictures but it appears to lichen - Lichen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

".....You are more likely to find lichens on unhealthy trees, but lichens are not the cause of the trees' deterioration. Lichens are related to mold and moss and grow well on trees suffering from other issues, because the plants are not healthy enough to fight them off. Lichens do little damage other than blocking some sunlight from getting to the tree, but you can remove them for aesthetic reasons."

kubali · 03-26-2015, 04:55 PM

[quote=Worm_Farmer;257792]all of my fruit trees have what appears to be some sort of white fungus or mold growing on it they are all doing really bad and dying off. if you know what I should do please help or if you know what this stuff is please help I am in Florida.
posted with Google Voice

[/QUOT
looks like Foliose lichen and coricolous lichens
it for sure is a kind of lichen and copper spray with take care of it.

Worm_Farmer · 03-26-2015, 05:16 PM

Alright, I will get copper spray this weekend! Do you need more pic? Let me know, if like to get to the root cause. Thank you!

kubali · 03-27-2015, 08:34 AM

I am no expert on lichen but I will say this, I have never known them to kill a tree or even hurt it in any way.so you might look for something else. What kind of tree are they. Looks like pear?Although the pear tree is an adaptable grower, some conditions are simply too hot or too cold for the pear tree. Warm winters can damage and, over time, kill a pear tree by preventing it from entering its dormant phase and leaving it weakened and open to attack from environmental and microbiological factors. Pear trees require between 41 and 50 consecutive days below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for an adequate dormant period. Grow a pear between U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 8 to prevent climate factors from killing your pear tree.

cincinnana · 03-27-2015, 10:20 AM

Just tossing this in the mix .
Lichens are generally harmless and are epiphytic.
I have lichens on some of the older trees and rocks in the yard which add visual interest.....but Wormfarmer your fruit trees have an issue.

I see you still have tags on them you might be able to return them.

Landscape CSI: Do lichens indicate impending tree death? - Science News - redOrbit

pmurphy · 03-27-2015, 11:07 AM

If indeed they are pear, I don't know about Florida but here we have issues with 'pear rust', a blight that can be caused by the nearby presence of juniper trees......if you have juniper trees in the area you are pretty much out of luck (we have ornamental pears, planted by the city, along the boulevard and every few years they have to be replaced - I keep asking them to plant something else)

Anyway, this rust causes orange welts/blisters to appear on the leaves. If the tree is young it is often not strong enough to survive for more than a couple of years. If the tree is older is can survive but is definitely weaker - the blisters can cover the leaves and rob the tree of its ability to photosynthesize properly

Gymnosporangium sabinae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kat2 · 03-27-2015, 11:32 AM

There's some kind of disease that attacks prunus trees up north but I don't know if it happens down here nor can I recall what it is. Can you take a branch to the extension service? They'd know for sure (or should) what's causing the decline and death. Perhaps a local master gardener could help?

cincinnana · 03-27-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worm_Farmer

Alright, I will get copper spray this weekend! Do you need more pic? Let me know, if like to get to the root cause. Thank you!

Post some photos of the leaves and bud tips or wounds that could give a better idea of what the problem is.
Check out your symptoms and compare them to this link. Or use the keyword Fire blight and check out photos associated with it.
.Fire blight Fact Sheet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat2

There's some kind of disease that attacks prunus trees up north but I don't know if it happens down here nor can I recall what it is. Can you take a branch to the extension service? They'd know for sure (or should) what's causing the decline and death. Perhaps a local master gardener could help?

There is a good chance you're thinking Fire blight.
I currently have it on a mature Redbud, unfortunately the cost to treat a tree professionally usually exceeds the trees value and I will eventually cut it down .

Kat2 · 03-27-2015, 02:35 PM

I think someone called it something with black in the name but the damage does seem very similar so I'll defer to you. It didn't kill immediately and pruning affected branches helped; nobody ever mentioned spraying. (Hey, not my trees so it wasn't my issue.)

cincinnana · 03-27-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat2

I think someone called it something with black in the name but the damage does seem very similar so I'll defer to you. It didn't kill immediately and pruning affected branches helped; nobody ever mentioned spraying. (Hey, not my trees so it wasn't my issue.)

Black Knot Fact Sheet

Kat2 · 03-27-2015, 03:37 PM

That sounds more like it! Nasty looking. I had an apricot that developed a huge wound in her trunk that oozed amber like material which eventually set. I assumed she'd die (which would have been fine because I hate apricots and grew it for the EX who decided he disliked them also) but instead she got taller and stronger yielding massive bushels of fruit.

Worm_Farmer · 03-27-2015, 09:03 PM

I will get more pictures soon! one of them is a low chill pear, low chill cherry and low chill peach. My low chill apple died this year. It also seems to be getting my blue berrys. I feel like all my trees are going to die. I'll get more pic. Typically all the new growth looks good.

Kat2 · 03-27-2015, 09:10 PM

Oh, dear, not the blueberries! I have a potted Sunshine that's actually producing fruit so I hope you find out what's wrong and post it. Gardening in FL is definitely a challenge.

Worm_Farmer · 03-30-2015, 12:12 PM

It took awhile. I really hate trying to get details out of a Cell Phone Camera.

kubali · 03-30-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worm_Farmer

It took awhile. I really hate trying to get details out of a Cell Phone Camera.

you really need to keep the base of your trees weed free. The weeds could be choking you tree to death, or starving it.

Kat2 · 03-30-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kubali

you really need to keep the base of your trees weed free. The weeds could be choking you tree to death, or starving it.

Yes, says the highly lazy queen of mulch who loves it because there's less lawn to mow and no damaging plants by cutting near them, but that's not the main issue from what I see. I'm totally clueless as to what is causing the problem but really hope someone diagnoses it for you. It may be too late for your poor plants; I hope not.

Dangermouse01 · 03-30-2015, 03:39 PM

Do you weed whack around the base of your trees (or have a lawn service that does)?

Send those photos and description of trees & damage to our AG dept and see what they suggest.

DM

Kat2 · 03-30-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangermouse01

Send those photos and description of trees & damage to our AG dept and see what they suggest.

DM

Yes!

Worm_Farmer · 03-30-2015, 05:37 PM

I do have a Landscaper. But he does not pull my weeds in the plant beds. I need someone to come over a clean up all this over grown problem I am having. I do need new mulch to cover the area around the trees again. I don't have a truck access anymore so it makes things MUCH harder.

I will try to find more info on the local AG department. Someone told me they would come out for free and try to figure this out. I am most worried about loosing my peach! It was my first "Hardwood" fruit tree, iv had it for 5 - 7 years now. It has a great looking trunk.

Thank you everyone!

03-26-2015, 03:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Worm_Farmer Worm_Farmer 's Photo Gallery Location: Palm Bay, FL Zone: 9b Name: Mike Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,533 BananaBucks : 44,039 Feedback: 14 / 100% Said "Thanks" 5,326 Times Was Thanked 1,830 Times in 679 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,866 Times	what's killing my tree all of my fruit trees have what appears to be some sort of white fungus or mold growing on it they are all doing really bad and dying off. if you know what I should do please help or if you know what this stuff is please help I am in Florida. posted with Google Voice

03-26-2015, 04:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
pmurphy always pushing the limits Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 8B Name: Pam Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 344 BananaBucks : 55,696 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 512 Times in 214 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,312 Times	Re: what's killing my tree Hard to tell from the pictures but it appears to lichen - Lichen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ".....You are more likely to find lichens on unhealthy trees, but lichens are not the cause of the trees' deterioration. Lichens are related to mold and moss and grow well on trees suffering from other issues, because the plants are not healthy enough to fight them off. Lichens do little damage other than blocking some sunlight from getting to the tree, but you can remove them for aesthetic reasons."

03-26-2015, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
kubali kubali Location: lakeland,fl Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: kub Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 996 BananaBucks : 37,016 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,939 Times Was Thanked 1,438 Times in 627 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,608 Times	Re: what's killing my tree [quote=Worm_Farmer;257792]all of my fruit trees have what appears to be some sort of white fungus or mold growing on it they are all doing really bad and dying off. if you know what I should do please help or if you know what this stuff is please help I am in Florida. posted with Google Voice [/QUOT looks like Foliose lichen and coricolous lichens it for sure is a kind of lichen and copper spray with take care of it. Last edited by kubali : 03-27-2015 at 08:14 AM.

03-26-2015, 05:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Worm_Farmer Worm_Farmer 's Photo Gallery Location: Palm Bay, FL Zone: 9b Name: Mike Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,533 BananaBucks : 44,039 Feedback: 14 / 100% Said "Thanks" 5,326 Times Was Thanked 1,830 Times in 679 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,866 Times	Re: what's killing my tree Alright, I will get copper spray this weekend! Do you need more pic? Let me know, if like to get to the root cause. Thank you!

03-27-2015, 08:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
kubali kubali Location: lakeland,fl Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: kub Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 996 BananaBucks : 37,016 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,939 Times Was Thanked 1,438 Times in 627 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,608 Times	Re: what's killing my tree I am no expert on lichen but I will say this, I have never known them to kill a tree or even hurt it in any way.so you might look for something else. What kind of tree are they. Looks like pear?Although the pear tree is an adaptable grower, some conditions are simply too hot or too cold for the pear tree. Warm winters can damage and, over time, kill a pear tree by preventing it from entering its dormant phase and leaving it weakened and open to attack from environmental and microbiological factors. Pear trees require between 41 and 50 consecutive days below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for an adequate dormant period. Grow a pear between U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 8 to prevent climate factors from killing your pear tree. Last edited by kubali : 03-27-2015 at 08:39 AM.

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03-27-2015, 10:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,782 BananaBucks : 521 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,865 Times Was Thanked 11,705 Times in 4,870 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,943 Times	Re: what's killing my tree Just tossing this in the mix . Lichens are generally harmless and are epiphytic. I have lichens on some of the older trees and rocks in the yard which add visual interest.....but Wormfarmer your fruit trees have an issue. I see you still have tags on them you might be able to return them. Landscape CSI: Do lichens indicate impending tree death? - Science News - redOrbit __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴

03-27-2015, 11:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
pmurphy always pushing the limits Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 8B Name: Pam Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 344 BananaBucks : 55,696 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 512 Times in 214 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,312 Times	Re: what's killing my tree If indeed they are pear, I don't know about Florida but here we have issues with 'pear rust', a blight that can be caused by the nearby presence of juniper trees......if you have juniper trees in the area you are pretty much out of luck (we have ornamental pears, planted by the city, along the boulevard and every few years they have to be replaced - I keep asking them to plant something else) Anyway, this rust causes orange welts/blisters to appear on the leaves. If the tree is young it is often not strong enough to survive for more than a couple of years. If the tree is older is can survive but is definitely weaker - the blisters can cover the leaves and rob the tree of its ability to photosynthesize properly Gymnosporangium sabinae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

03-27-2015, 11:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kat2 Location: Now nesting in Titusville, FL Zone: 10A or 9B ish. Like it matters? Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,153 BananaBucks : 239,481 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,921 Times Was Thanked 2,669 Times in 1,322 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 595 Times	Re: what's killing my tree There's some kind of disease that attacks prunus trees up north but I don't know if it happens down here nor can I recall what it is. Can you take a branch to the extension service? They'd know for sure (or should) what's causing the decline and death. Perhaps a local master gardener could help? __________________

03-27-2015, 02:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kat2 Location: Now nesting in Titusville, FL Zone: 10A or 9B ish. Like it matters? Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,153 BananaBucks : 239,481 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,921 Times Was Thanked 2,669 Times in 1,322 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 595 Times	Re: what's killing my tree I think someone called it something with black in the name but the damage does seem very similar so I'll defer to you. It didn't kill immediately and pruning affected branches helped; nobody ever mentioned spraying. (Hey, not my trees so it wasn't my issue.) __________________

03-27-2015, 03:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kat2 Location: Now nesting in Titusville, FL Zone: 10A or 9B ish. Like it matters? Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,153 BananaBucks : 239,481 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,921 Times Was Thanked 2,669 Times in 1,322 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 595 Times	Re: what's killing my tree That sounds more like it! Nasty looking. I had an apricot that developed a huge wound in her trunk that oozed amber like material which eventually set. I assumed she'd die (which would have been fine because I hate apricots and grew it for the EX who decided he disliked them also) but instead she got taller and stronger yielding massive bushels of fruit. __________________

03-27-2015, 09:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
Worm_Farmer Worm_Farmer 's Photo Gallery Location: Palm Bay, FL Zone: 9b Name: Mike Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,533 BananaBucks : 44,039 Feedback: 14 / 100% Said "Thanks" 5,326 Times Was Thanked 1,830 Times in 679 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,866 Times	Re: what's killing my tree I will get more pictures soon! one of them is a low chill pear, low chill cherry and low chill peach. My low chill apple died this year. It also seems to be getting my blue berrys. I feel like all my trees are going to die. I'll get more pic. Typically all the new growth looks good.

03-27-2015, 09:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
Kat2 Location: Now nesting in Titusville, FL Zone: 10A or 9B ish. Like it matters? Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,153 BananaBucks : 239,481 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,921 Times Was Thanked 2,669 Times in 1,322 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 595 Times	Re: what's killing my tree Oh, dear, not the blueberries! I have a potted Sunshine that's actually producing fruit so I hope you find out what's wrong and post it. Gardening in FL is definitely a challenge. __________________

03-30-2015, 12:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
Worm_Farmer Worm_Farmer 's Photo Gallery Location: Palm Bay, FL Zone: 9b Name: Mike Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,533 BananaBucks : 44,039 Feedback: 14 / 100% Said "Thanks" 5,326 Times Was Thanked 1,830 Times in 679 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,866 Times	Re: what's killing my tree It took awhile. I really hate trying to get details out of a Cell Phone Camera.

03-30-2015, 03:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
Dangermouse01 Location: Palm Bay (NE), Florida Find me on the map! Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 285 BananaBucks : 51,632 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 60 Times Was Thanked 875 Times in 233 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: what's killing my tree Do you weed whack around the base of your trees (or have a lawn service that does)? Send those photos and description of trees & damage to our AG dept and see what they suggest. DM

03-30-2015, 05:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
Worm_Farmer Worm_Farmer 's Photo Gallery Location: Palm Bay, FL Zone: 9b Name: Mike Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,533 BananaBucks : 44,039 Feedback: 14 / 100% Said "Thanks" 5,326 Times Was Thanked 1,830 Times in 679 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,866 Times	Re: what's killing my tree I do have a Landscaper. But he does not pull my weeds in the plant beds. I need someone to come over a clean up all this over grown problem I am having. I do need new mulch to cover the area around the trees again. I don't have a truck access anymore so it makes things MUCH harder. I will try to find more info on the local AG department. Someone told me they would come out for free and try to figure this out. I am most worried about loosing my peach! It was my first "Hardwood" fruit tree, iv had it for 5 - 7 years now. It has a great looking trunk. Thank you everyone!

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