travisap
Newly Registered
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Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:17 pm

Honeycrisp Apple Tree Splitting / Cracking Issue

The apples on our Honeycrisp tree are cracking / splitting. It seems that the apples on the outside of the tree are worse than the ones inside. Appears to be a fungus issue vs. rapid growth splitting. This is in Wausau, WI, USA.

JONA
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Posts: 812
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:11 am
Location: Sussex. England

Hi Travisap
The most common cause of splitting is uneven water uptake in hot weather.
If the tree comes under drought type conditions the skin of the fruit...especially those that are out in the sunshine....can start to set. Then when rain or irrigation is applied, the rapidly swelling cells split the skin.
The actual number of cells that make up an apple are laid down in may/June and after then are just pumped up with water and nutrients. So the effects of water on the growing fruit can be severe.
You say fungus...but what one are you thinking of.
Scab lesions on fruit do set the skin where they germinate. These will then split very readily as the fruit expands. Hail damage will do the same.

travisap
Newly Registered
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:17 pm

Thank you for the prompt reply John. I have attached a few photos for you to reference.
Honeycrisp Apple Tree Photo
Honeycrisp Apple Tree Photo
IMG_9637.JPG
IMG_9636.JPG

JONA
Greener Thumb
Posts: 812
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:11 am
Location: Sussex. England

Yes, you can see that there are small scab lesions on the fruit and the splits have gone right across these lesions.
Where Scab spots appear on an apple the skin surface near to them toughens up and can even russet lightly. So any sudden water uptake following a dry period will cause the area to split as the skin tries to expand quickly.
You've got quite a bit of Scab on those leaves too.
Any offspring of Golden Delicious is prone to Scab as it suffers from the problem badly itself.
Next spring try and get a few early protective sprays on your tree to stamp on the spores early.



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