Plum cracks: bark, trunk, causes and treatment

Content

1 Why does the bark on a plum tree crack?
2 Why did the plum tree trunk crack?
3 Prevention of cracking of plum bark and trunks
4 Conclusion

Many summer residents sooner or later experience cracking of the bark on their plum tree. This is a fairly common problem that can cause significant harm to the health of the tree, leading to premature wilting or even death.

To overcome the disease, first of all, it is necessary to identify the reason why a crack appeared on the plant, and only then take treatment measures.

Why does the bark on a plum tree crack?

There are many factors that can affect the appearance of cracks in the bark of a plum tree. The main step in the tree treatment stage is to identify these factors so that timely action can be taken.

Why does the bark of a plum tree crack on its trunk: determine the reasons

There are several reasons that can cause cracks in the plum bark:

The tree is growing too quickly.
Very coldy.
Pests.
Plant diseases.
Excess harvest.
Excessive soil fertilization.
Sunburn in summer.
Damage during pruning.
Rodents.

Why are cracks in plum bark dangerous?

Cracks cause significant damage to plum trees, as they become a haven for various microbes, viruses and bacteria that cause plant diseases.

A wood crack on a trunk resembles a wound on a person’s skin: if appropriate treatment measures are not taken in time, it will begin to grow and multiply the infection.

Important! As a rule, a crack in the plum bark gradually begins to rot. Inaction leads to quite large-scale damage.

To save the tree and preserve the harvest, it is necessary to take prompt measures to treat the plant.

Treatment of diseases, cracks and swelling of the plum trunk

A fairly common cause of cracks in plum trees is the presence of diseases. In this case, it is necessary to wash off the affected bark with a stiff brush and burn it. The remaining wounds on the trunk are treated with garden varnish.

Sewage can also cause the disease. To eliminate the problem, they need to be moved as far as possible from the plum trunk.

If the tree bark swells and bursts, you need to prepare a solution that includes a package of iron sulfate. You just need to dilute it in a container with warm water and bring it to the state of liquid sour cream.

It is necessary to treat the exfoliated bark with this solution. And in late spring or early summer, a similar procedure should be carried out on wounds after removing the affected areas.

What to do if the bark of a plum tree bursts due to frost

Frost is the most common cause of cracks in plum bark. This problem can be explained by the elementary law of physics about the expansion of water (in this case we are talking about the sap that is on the trunk).When liquid freezes, the crust is unable to cope with the pressure of the ice.

During the day, the tree is exposed to sunlight and then freezes again at night. Such temperature changes and the constant pressure of the frozen liquid lead to weakening of the bark and the appearance of cracks on it.

To solve this problem, you need to make a weak solution of potassium permanganate and treat the crack with it.

Video about treating frost damage on fruit trees:

Black cancer is the cause of cracks on plum trunks

If a gardener notices that a plum tree stops producing crops, and its branches begin to dry out and shed their leaves, there is a possibility that the plant is affected by black cancer. In addition to these symptoms, the tree bark begins to darken and fungal cracks appear on it.

A plum tree may be susceptible to black cancer if;

Don't care for trees.
Do not protect the area from winds.
Plant a tree next to the toilet.
Use too much fertilizer.
Place a compost bin near the plant.

Despite the seriousness of the disease, plum can be cured if you start fighting black cancer in its initial period. There are the following methods for saving a plant:

On a sunny day, when there is no strong wind, place a thick cloth or paper around the plum trunk.
Disinfect cracks with a solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate solution.
Gently scrub off loose areas of bark using a stiff brush.
Using a special garden knife, completely get rid of the affected capillary tissue of the plum. It is also necessary to capture about 3 cm of healthy tissue.
Disinfect the area where the procedure was performed with preparations containing copper.
Apply garden varnish to the already treated parts of the bark and cover them with a cloth.
Burn all remaining bark, foliage, fruits and branches of the plum.
Work the soil around the tree.

The bark of a plum tree burst due to rapid growth: what to do?

The sudden and rapid growth of a plum tree causes cracks to appear in its bark. Although the outer tissue of this plant is quite elastic, excessive growth still leads to similar problems. This is explained by the strong pressure that the tree trunk puts on the bark as it grows.

Typically, this problem is caused by overfertilizing the soil around the plum tree or having a toilet near it. To prevent it, it is necessary to follow the norms for the application of substances that increase productivity, and also not to place the tree near a place to relieve natural needs.

If crevices do appear, they need to be treated with garden varnish.

What to do if the bark of a plum tree cracks due to pests

To determine how badly a plum is affected by pests, you need to poke the bark with a knife. If it can be easily pierced and torn from the trunk, the tree should be cut down and destroyed by fire. But if the bark is still hard, there is a chance of saving the plants with chemical treatment.

Woodworms

Woodworms are usually found inside the tree. Very often they are found out only when small holes have already appeared on the drain. If these pests are found on a plant, you must resort to one of the following methods to combat them:

Carry out regular inspection of the plum trunk. Treat any damaged areas found with chlorophos.
Catch adult pests by hand in the spring, when they are most active.
Treat the bark with clay mixed with manure or oil paints.
Place traps for female pests in the form of thick branches throughout the entire area of the dacha.

If these methods fail to improve the situation, you should resort to using Confidor Extra or Bi-58.

Sapwood

The appearance of small horizontal cracks on the bark of a plum tree indicates the presence of sapwood in the tree. This pest is extremely dangerous for the plant, and if you do not get rid of it in a timely manner, it will lead to its death.

To combat sapwood, you must use one of the following insecticides:

"Confidor Maxi";
"Vector";
"Aktara";
"Mospilan".

Why did the plum tree trunk crack?

The plum trunk is quite weak and fragile. If a tree is grown without proper pruning, this will lead to the appearance of longitudinal cracks on the trunk surface. Sometimes the plant even breaks into two parts.

If longitudinal cracks are detected, action must be taken as soon as possible.

The first step is to connect the plum into one piece, and then protect the gap with a wire bandage clamp. Then the wire must be twisted like a “plait”.

The crevice must be covered with copper sulfate and wrapped in gauze.

It is worth removing the mixture and bandages in the spring. The wounds are washed and treated with garden varnish.

Prevention of cracking of plum bark and trunks

To prevent the appearance of crevices in the bark of a plum tree, you can use whitewash. When carrying out this procedure, it is necessary to maintain the concentration of lime.

When covering young plants with a solution, the concentration of calcium oxide should be less. Accordingly, for old trees it should be larger.

Advice! Such prevention should be carried out twice a year - in spring and autumn. Whitewashing plums in the fall is the most important.

To prevent frost and sunburn from causing cracks, it is necessary to tie the plum trunk. Many summer residents use newspapers for this. Their paper provides reliable protection from strong winds and sunlight.

Lutrasil and spunbond are also sometimes used for this procedure.

To avoid crevices in the plum bark in the early summer, you need to make small cuts 2 mm deep on it using a sharp, disinfected knife blade. This should be done on the side of the trunk that faces north.

Such operations can be carried out once every five years after the plum tree turns 4 years old.

Specifically for the prevention of black cancer, there are the following tips:

Choose varieties that are resistant to the disease.
Remove fallen fruits and leaves from the soil in a timely manner.
Do not fertilize the ground around the plum tree with bird droppings or manure.
Carefully trim the branches of the plant.
Treat cutting areas.

Conclusion

If a summer resident notices that the bark of a plum tree is cracking in his garden, he must act quickly. The first step is to identify the cause of the problem, and then begin measures to eliminate it. It is also advisable to prevent the occurrence of cracks so that the tree remains healthy and does not lose its fruitfulness.

Why does the plum crack?