Sick Walnut tree?? (forum)

Steven starts with ...
Hi

I have two walnut trees which i grew from seed with appear to have swellings which resemble blisters along the trunk, the blisters arent hollow they are quite firm when i press them but in places the bark has cracked slightly because of it. Also lower down on one of the trees are black spots which could be sap or might not be part of the problem im not sure.

Does anyone know why the trees are doing this? is it a disease and if so how dangerous is it to the tree and how can it be treated.

Thanks alot

Steven
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Time: 10th June 2009 10:01am

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About the Author Steven
Eastern Melbourne
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Speedy says...
I reckon it's probably a nutrient imbalance (deficiency or toxicity).

Fungal? bacterial? gall wasp?

All guesses.

If you cant find out for sure, then the safest thing would be to apply matured aerobic compost to
soil surface covered with mulch, supplemented with liquid seaweed.
A weak solution as a soil drench and also as a foliar feed when it leafs out in spring.

Time: 10th June 2009 10:38pm

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About the Author Speedy
Swan Hill, Vic
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Steven says...
Thanks ill try that during spring. They are growing in pots so it could be something like that, however I fertilized them with alot of aged horse manure last spring. Although on the other hand they didnt grow too much last season either so it could be the problem. Hopefully it is something small like that because im concerned it could be something more serious.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions on what it could be??

Thanks

Steven

Time: 11th June 2009 10:38am

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amanda says...
Hi Steven, I know zilch about walnuts. Do u have an agricultural dept in Vic?

Most are really helpful when it comes to diseases etc (prob'ly cos' they are protecting lucrative industries?) What u have described sounds a bit off...it might be worth getting a plant pathologists opinion from your Ag dept?

Walnuts are grown in Uk and USA maybe a peek into their forums might help? Like Speedy - all guesses on my part! :)

Time: 11th June 2009 11:15pm

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About the Author amanda19
geraldton.WA
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Jimmy says...
Its walnut blight.

Copper sprays may fix it.

Time: 12th June 2009 11:18am

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Steven says...
Thanks alot

I looked it up on the internet and it could be that. I have copper sulphate already so ill make up a solution to spray on it. Is there any time of the year that i should spray or whenever

Also how sure are you that its that. I just want to make sure i know exactly what the problem is.

Thanks Alot

Steven

Time: 12th June 2009 5:47pm

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About the Author Steven
Eastern Melbourne
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Steven says...
Does Anyone else have any ideas on what this could be??

Thanks

Steven

Time: 15th June 2009 10:59am

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Speedy says...
Manganese excess can cause blistery looking growths on the green wood of some species.

Paul Baxter (I think it was him) had this to say about pears and Mn toxicity.

"...some pear varieties are very susceptible to manganese toxicity
which causes bark measles and death of fruit spurs."
from Baxter,P. and Tankard,G. 'Growing fruit in Australia' (1987)

Mn excess occurs in soils with low pH and/or are poorly drained.

The problem can be remedied by raising pH with the application of lime or dolomite.

Bark Measles...?
Don't know whether the above quoted info translates to walnuts,
but maybe if you test pH and drainage of the growing media.
If it's ok you can at least rule that one out.

Time: 15th June 2009 9:52pm

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About the Author Speedy
Swan Hill, Vic
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