Inquiry is made by Thomas E. Turnbull, Hall’s Corners, Ontario Co., N.
Y., as to the cause of the disease in the young apple trees known as
“black fungi,” its description and remedy. It is a matter for
congratulation indeed, if there be a disease to which any of our fruit
trees are liable, and they have so entirely escaped it as to leave us in
ignorance of its existence. The editor is very happy in being able to
say that he does not know what that disease is. Young apple trees
sometimes become what is termed black hearted, from improper fall
pruning, and the equally improper attempt to grow them in undrained
soil. If this be the subject of our correspondent’s enquiry, we have
given him the cause and cure.
He also asks “the cause of trees casting the bark to the height of eight
or ten inches from the ground; under the bark the wood looks dead, and
the bark scales off in time. No sign of borers. Two trees stand in a
garden and are well cultivated, another outside of the garden in sod.
The trees are of the Spitzenburg variety, and twenty years old.” “Also
on other trees of the same variety the bark dies in streaks on the body
and limbs. Is it caused by borers?”
The reason why the bark scales off, is because the wood beneath _is
dead_, but why the wood has died is a question not easily answered by
one who is ignorant of all the peculiar conditions in which these trees
are placed, save the information given in this inquiry. Also it is
impossible, for the same reason, to say what is the cause of the death
of the bark in streaks on the bodies and limbs of the other trees. Our
correspondent should be able to ascertain by examination whether it is
probably caused by borers.
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