Re: Gumming of Almonds
"M. & L. Doster" wrote:
>
> Here is my experience concerning gumming of almonds:
>
> Almond trees gum readily. It's something very common.
>
> If the gum is clear, than it's not due to a pathogen (microorganism).
>
> But if it's yellow-brown, then the gumming is due to a canker caused by a
> fungus (or bacterium). If the canker is on the trunk, then you can be in
> trouble; whereas, if it's on a small branch, it's not so serious.
>
> If the gum is very sticky, then it is recent. Sometimes people don't notice
> the gumming until quite a few months afterwards.
I have been unable to find any reference to gummosis due to a fungus,
but an infectious gummosis can occur on stone fruit trees as a result of
bacterial attack. This results in marked cankers and leads to death of
adjacent tree parts, but is unlikely to be a killer unless it reaches
the main trunk. It is also usually accompanied by spotting of the
leaves.
If your gummosis is clear, as Mark describes, and there is no sign of a
canker or dying branches, it is most likely stress related and improving
growing conditions by such measures as applying a layer compost over the
root zone plus a good pad of mulch on top might help the tree to
recover. Improving the upper root system will help if there is
compaction and lack of air and the compost and mulch will gradually also
lighten the underlying soil (this works best if the compost is laid on
the surface and not dug in). At the same time mulch will help to keep
the root area moist if you get a dry summer next year.
Always take care, however, in mulching around trees to keep the mulch
away from contact with the trunk, as this can lead to collar rot.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
