[Keeks]

When we bought out house a couple of years ago, the garden was badly overgrown, neglected and most of the shrubs and tress were beyond saving.

There are 4 apple trees which seems to be ok but were overgrown which ivy and in bad need of pruning.

Last summer I started to clear away the ivy by cutting the ivy close to the ground and letting it die naturally. This year I plan to prune the trees during summer to see if I can get some vigor back in the tress.

As I give the tree a look over I see the following and I am worried that this is canker but can't be sure.

Also one of the trees has "warts".....what are these? See photos

[Greengage]

To me that does not look like canker but the bark has split due to damage from people or frost the lower picture look like dormant buds have been removed for more on canker look here.
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=63

[Keeks]

Thanks.

Should I do anything to these damaged parts of the tree or just leave them be?

Would it be beneficial to cut the dead bits off and apply a sealant to prevent any further damage or rot?

Obviously not to be full on and start to do too much otherwise I will probably do more harm than good. The trees are in a bad start, but I think a good pruning will really revive them and get some good fruit this year.

I just don't want to do too much at the one time, otherwise it might be counterproductive.

[tippben]

Leave any pruning until next winter. It will help to take out the damaged wood, but I'd do no more than that. Hard pruning will only result in lots of "water shoots", which won't give you any fruit. Only take out what you really need to. Don't use a sealant: there's no need, and if there is any disease floating about, you'll just seal it in. What is important is to leave a very clean cut. Step cut: Do one cut from underneath, about a foot away from where the damaged section meets the rest of the plant. Then make another cut from the top about 2" further in. That branch will snap off, leaving a peg. Finishing cut: remove that peg with one careful cut, leaving a clean result. Use a "pull saw". Felco and Silky Fox are good. It's always good practice to sterilize the tool before and after use - I dip mine in methylated spirits then light it. It will kill any disease, but won't harm the temper of the metal.

[michael brenock]

the blisters or lumps on the apple trees are caused by Woolly Aphis, which leaves little clusters of cotton wool like patches and the aphids are covered by this. Very hard to eliminate and individual clusters can be treated with methylated Spirits which dissolves the waxy wool and exposes the aphid to killing off. Can be unsightly but very hard to eliminate and has little effect on the cropping potential of the tree.
michael brenock

[Keeks]

Thanks for the helps.

For the wooly aphids I am assuming you are talking about these type of things