Apple trees dying back

A large number of domestic apple trees and flowering crab apple trees in the region are experiencing die-back. The ends of some of the branches containing this year's new growth have turned brown with leaves dying.

This is due to "fire blight," caused by bacteria that winter in blight-infected trees. In the spring, they begin multiplying and ooze to the surface, where they are spread by rain or insects.

Bees easily spread the bacteria from tree to tree as they fly around pollinating apple blossoms. Blossoms will then wilt and die as bacteria multiply. Rain or insects also spread the bacteria to the tree's new growth, causing the die-back.

Fire blight this year seems to be severe and widespread. Although this is a cause for concern, most apple trees can ride out the infection without any serious longterm problems. For the most part, fire blight only affects the new growth and leaves the main part of the tree alone.

Removing infected branches is recommended on highly susceptible dwarf apple trees and on young apple trees where the fire blight poses potential damage to the central leader or main scaffold limbs.

It also isn't a bad idea to remove the blighted branches on older trees whose infections are confined to only a few branches that won't require much effort to remove.

Infected branches should be removed by cutting ten inches below the infected area. Disinfect cutting tools after each cut by dipping them in solution that is 70 percent alcohol, 10 percent bleach and five percent Lysol. Only perform these cuts on dry, sunny days in order to prevent other infections.

Older, slower growing trees will block the bacteria before they spread very far down larger limbs from the infected new growth. On such trees the fire blight can often be left to run its course without damaging the tree.

Landowners who have large orchards that are affected by fire blight may want to consider the use of bactericides for fire blight control.

Fire blight infections seem to be cyclic with years of heavy infection and years where the blight is almost nonexistent. Much of this is dependant on the springtime weather conditions when the blight is being spread.

Let's hope that this year's blight runs its course without doing to much damage to our mastproducing apple trees.

As you read this, I am in the midst of a two-week hike of a portion of the Appalachian Trail. I have always pondered the possibility of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, but have never wanted to commit to such a large undertaking.

However, when I was approached this spring about hiking a portion of the trail in the southern Appalachians, I was all for the trip. We are hiking through the Smokey Mountain National Park and then driving north to hike the trail through Shenandoah National Park.