My Cox’s apple tree has been declining, and building work has been going on nearby. I’m worried about root disease, but there’s also a lot of missing bark near the base of the trunk. Is there any chance of saving it, or should I try to propagate it?
Is my apple tree too far gone, and can I save the variety?
Asked by MicaQueue
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The missing bark at the base may be the bigger clue than the general decline. If it’s stripped around most of the trunk, the damage can interrupt the tissues that carry water and sugars, and the tree may not recover. Building work could also have stressed or damaged roots, but that alone doesn’t confirm a root disease.
If you can, check how much of the trunk’s circumference is affected and whether any healthy bark remains connecting the upper trunk to the roots. A clear photo of the base would help someone assess it, but extensive damage all the way around is a very poor sign.
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If you want to keep that particular apple variety, grafting healthy young shoots onto a suitable rootstock is a better bet than trying to root ordinary cuttings. Take scion wood only from healthy growth, and make several grafts in case some fail. If you suspect a disease that could be present throughout the tree, get a local fruit-tree specialist to look at it before using any of its material.
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MicaQueue:
Unfortunately, the bark is missing from the bottom of the main trunk pretty much all the way around.