Why is the plum cracking

Many summer residents sooner or later crack the bark on the drain. This is a fairly common problem that can cause significant damage to the health of the tree, leading to too early 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 measures for treatment.

Why does the bark on the plum crack?

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

Why does the plum bark crack on the trunk: determine the causes

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

• Too fast tree growth.
• Very coldy.
• Pests.
• Plant diseases.
• Surplus harvest.
• Excessive fertilization of the soil.
• Sunburn in the summer.
• Damage during cutting.
• Rodents.

What are dangerous cracks in the plum bark

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

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

To save the tree and preserve the crop, 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 a plum tree is the presence of disease. In this case, it is necessary to wash the affected bark with a stiff brush and burn it. The remaining wounds on the trunk are treated with a garden pitch.

Wastewater can also be the cause of the disease. To fix the problem, they need to be taken as far as possible from the plum trunk.

If the bark of a tree swells and bursts, you need to prepare a solution, which 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 removal of the affected areas.

What to do if the bark on the drain burst due to frost

Frost is the most common cause of cracked 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 juice that is on the trunk). When the liquid freezes, the crust is unable to cope with the pressure of the ice.

During the day, the tree is exposed to the sun’s rays, and then freezes again at night. Such temperature fluctuations and constant pressure of the frozen liquid lead to the 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 the treatment of frostbites on fruit trees:

Black cancer – the cause of cracks in plum trunks

If the gardener notices that the plum is no longer producing a crop, and its branches begin to dry out and drop foliage, there is a possibility that the plant is affected by black cancer. In addition to these symptoms, the bark of the tree begins to darken, fungal cracks appear on it.

Plum can undergo black cancer if;

• Don’t take care of the trees.
• Do not protect the site from the winds.
• Plant a tree next to the toilet.
• Use too much fertilizer.
• Place a compost pit 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:

1. On a sunny day, when there is no strong wind, put a thick cloth or paper around the stem of the plum tree.
2. Disinfect cracks with a solution of potassium permanganate or a solution of copper sulfate.
3. Scrub loose areas of bark gently with a stiff brush.
4. With the help of 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.
5. Disinfect the area where the procedure was performed with preparations containing copper.
6. Apply garden pitch to the already processed parts of the bark and cover them with a cloth.
7. Burn all the remaining bark, foliage, fruits and branches of the plum.
8. Work the soil around the tree.

The bark on the plum burst due to rapid growth: what to do

The sudden and rapid growth of the plum tree causes cracks in its bark. Despite the fact that the outer tissue of this plant is quite elastic, excessive growth still leads to similar problems. This is due to the strong pressure that the tree trunk exerts on the bark when magnified.

As a rule, the cause of this problem is excessive fertilization of the soil around the plum tree or the presence of a toilet next to it. To prevent it, it is necessary to comply with the norms for the introduction of substances that increase productivity, and also not to place a tree near a place for natural needs.

If crevices still appear, they need to be treated with garden pitch.

What to do if the bark on the drain is cracking due to pests

To determine how badly the 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 must be cut down and destroyed by fire. But if the bark is still hard, there is a chance of saving the plants with a chemical treatment.

Woodworms

Woodworms are usually found inside the tree. Very often they learn about them only when small holes have already appeared on the drain. If these pests are found on the plant, it is necessary to resort to one of the following methods of dealing with them:

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

If using these methods it was not possible to improve the situation, you should resort to using the Confidor Extra or Bi-58 tool.

A woodcutter

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

To control the sapwood, one of the following insecticides must be used:

• “Confidor Maxi”;
• “Vector”;
• “Aktara”;
• “Mospilan”.

Why did the plum trunk crack

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

If longitudinal cracks are found, act as soon as possible.

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

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

Remove the mixture and bandages in the spring. Wounds are washed and treated with garden pitch.

Prevention of cracking of the bark and plum trunks

Whitewash can be used to prevent crevices in the bark of a plum tree. When carrying out this procedure, it is imperative to observe the concentration of lime.

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

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

Lutrasil and spunbond are also sometimes used for this procedure.

To avoid crevices in the plum bark in the initial period of summer, you need to make small cuts on it with a depth of 2 mm using a sharp, disinfected knife blade. This should be done on the side of the trunk that is turned to the north.

Such operations can be carried out once every five years after the plum is 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 time.
• Do not fertilize the ground around the plum tree with bird droppings or manure.
• Carefully trim the branches of the plant.
• Handle cut points.

Conclusion

If the summer resident notices that the bark on the drain is cracking in his garden, he must act promptly. The first step is to identify the cause of the problem, and then proceed with measures to eliminate it. It is also desirable to observe the prevention of cracks so that the tree remains healthy and does not lose its fruitfulness.