Pawpaw tree crown damage (forum)

JJ487 starts with ...
The crown on My pawpaw has recently turned black. Would anyone know if this is disease or could it be from severe sunburn? The black is most sever on the side facing the sun.
I live on the coast and during a storm last winter the plant lost all of its leaves. It fruited in spring but the plants ripened/burned before the grew full size (this is first fruiting season).
In the past few weeks , now summer temps, the leaves have started growing back, however about the same time the tips of both stems turned black. We have had extremely hot 38 degree days, and it has had no sun protection (I’ve tried to erect some shade now but perhaps too late)
Tree seems otherwise okay, new leaves growing are healthy. I have tried cutting back and using tin to keep water out as its hollow, but it keeps blackening. I don’t want to cut back much further and lose new leaf growth and risk more sunburn, but will this be the only way to stop black progressing?
Any help appreciated thanks!
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Time: 31st December 2020 4:21pm

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About the Author JJ487
Yanchep 6035 WA Australia
#UserID: 25316
Posts: 2
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Barnacle 1 says...
Papaya stem rot:
fungus – Pythium sp
http://agrilife.org/plantdiseasehandbook/files/2011/06/Stem-Rot.gif

Time: 5th January 2021 10:42pm

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About the Author Barnacle 1
Melbourne 3000 VIC Australia
#UserID: 23704
Posts: 11
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JJ487 says...
Thank you Barnacle 1, is there a way to treat it/stop it progressing?

Time: 8th January 2021 2:39pm

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About the Author JJ487
Yanchep 6035 WA Australia
#UserID: 25316
Posts: 2
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Barnacle 1 says...
Mate,

Technically no cure for this fungus. Remove and dispose of your tree and not plant in same spot for some time, as the fungus hibernate in the soil until the next host.

You may try below, given nothing to lose now.

Find a good period of hot dry weather with no rain for a week. Disinfect your blade before cutting some distance below the darken rotted area of the trunk.

Then ripe the white sap off, sprinkle cinnamon powder as it is a natural fungicide and let the wound and sap dry up and harden in the sun. Cover the wound to ensure no water or wetness gets to the wound.

Good Luck, mate! :)






Time: 10th January 2021 9:50pm

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About the Author Barnacle 1
Melbourne 3000 VIC Australia
#UserID: 23704
Posts: 11
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