Fruiting Plum tree problem

13 years ago

I have a fruiting plum tree I planted a couple years ago. Last spring I noticed white fuzzy spots on the branches and trunk (turned red when touched). It didn't seem to bother the tree much but the spots did grow. I thought aphids but I never noticed any sap coming out and I looked very closely but never saw any of the move. Now, the white spots have turned into harder spots I can scrape off the bark. There are also small conical growths on the ground under the tree that seem to hold some sort of black seed. Also, a few spots on the braches have split (not sure if it's related as we had a very hot, dry summer last year). I started spraying a neem oil solution that says it fixes fungal and pest problems on fruit trees. But, if these are aphids, should I also apply a systemic insecticide to try to save the tree? I only want to do this is absolutely necessary, as I try to stick to organic gardening as much as possible. None of my other trees are affected. I've attaches a couple pics - not super clear but they'll give you and idea of what it looks like. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

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Comments (3)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i will yell ...

NEVER ...===>>> EVER if i think i see what i see.. google 'scale on plum' ...

if its only that one branch.. dead center.. just cut that branch off ...

horticultural oil is the best treatment .. but the key is timing it to perfection.. when the babes are out and moving.. otherwise known a crawlers ...

in winter.. all you have is a dead mom.. who is impervious to treatment.. and hiding her eggs under ... the oil will have no impact right now ...

when they crawl out.. they are not hard.. and the oil suffocates them .. but if you miss the few days they are able to be killed.. well.. you find some other way to go after them on fruit ...

opps.. i am in the fruit forum.. i will defer to the more experienced.. if i said anything wrong ...

i would probably prune out the badly mangled branch also ...

ken

ps: i gave up on plum years ago.. due to black knot.. gummosis.. and scale .. there are some fruit trees.. that jsut arent worth the bother ... IMHO ...
theaceofspades
13 years ago
Prune those small branches by the trunk to 'open center' pruning (and it looks like you have it started that way). Allowing as much light to the base of the inside branches controls Fungus naturally.
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Scott F Smith
13 years ago
That stuff is white peach scale. My treatment is put on gloves, rub the bark to rub all of it off that you can get, then spray oil. I found that oil alone would not get rid of it all but the combo of rub and spray worked well.

I don't think neem is strong enough to kill serious pests. But all you need is oil for the scale.

The split bark could be canker, the white peach scale is more likely to appear on unhealthy trees. I would read up on bacterial canker and keep your eyes peeled for symptoms.

Scott