North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us>]

I got one really helpful reply off-list. I have removed the name of the 
replier, in case he avoided the list for privacy reasons, but wanted to copy 
his message in case it helps others. Thanks, anonymous. (And if you don't 
want to be anonymous, feel free to chime in.)

I scraped the soil, and while I didn't find any tunnels, I found a white 
larva in a shallow groove cut into the tree. I killed it, and poked around, 
removing all the gum and poking a wire into anything loose, including one 
extremely short "tunnel" that was full of gum. (I removed that gum, too.) I 
have left it exposed, and will keep an eye on it for the next couple of 
weeks. 

I have a friend with a horseradish plant who would, I'm sure, be happy to 
give me some pieces. But he warns me against it, saying it is weedy and large 
and ugly and impossible to remove once planted. I'm curious what others 
think. The tree is in a very visible spot, sort of the center of my back yard.

Ginda
eastern MA, zone 6

Begin forwarded message:

> Date: October 7, 2011 2:55:08 PM EDT
> To: "list@ginda.us" <list@ginda.us>
> Subject: Gumosis in prunus?
> 
> This may be "Peach tree borer"
> Scrape the soil from around the tree to expose the larvae tunnels.
> Poke some flexible wire into the tunnels to kill and extract the white 
> grubs.
> Leave exposed and watch for further excrement/chaff ,..to make sure you got 
> them all.
> If left to feed all winter the tree will be killed by spring.
>  
> I have found that horseradish planted at the base of prunus trees seeems to 
> deter the adult female moth from laying her eggs.
>  
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> 
>  
> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> From: Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us>
> To: NAFEX Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 9:30:37 AM
> Subject: [NAFEX] Gumosis in apricots?
> 
> While weeding today, I noticed a big clump of jelly at the base of a 
> 2-year-old apricot tree. It's a clump about 1.5" by 1" by 1". Parts are 
> completely clear, and parts are caramel brown.
> 
> is there any hope for this tree? Is there anything I ought to do to help it?
> -- 
> Ginda 
> Eastern Mass., zone 6