Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have a very large, very old apricot tree (perhaps 30 years old or older?) and it has chunks of sap or resin on the branches..it seems to have killed lots of the flowers and the tree only has about a dozen apricots.  I hate to cut it down because it is such a large  tree but I was told it is probably a fungus and even spraying it might not help.  Please advise what this could  be and what should be done with it.  

Thank you.

Joyce

ANSWER: Hi Joyce

Stone fruits are susceptible to bacterial canker, which causes the sap to ooze from the branches.  There is not much that can be done.  Other reasons can also cause the oozing sap, such as insects.  I would spray the tree with copper hydroxide, if you can reach all the way to the top.  Copper hydoxide is a safe product for bacterial disease management.  It can be found sold as Hi-Yield Copper Fungicide at most garden centers.  Outside of keeping the tree fertilized and watered, this is all that can be done.  Good Luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi..me again..Thank you for your reply.
Is there a certain time of year the tree should or should not be sprayed? I also read that it could be a "burrowing" insect and the tree should probably just be removed.  :-(  A lemon tree was recently planted adjacent to the apricot..will the copper hydroxide harm the lemon tree in any way?

Thank you again,

Joyce

Answer
Hi Joyce

Without seeing the tree I can not tell if there is an insect.  There are peach tree borers that will cause similar symptoms, and in that case, the tree is probably doomed.  The copper hydroxide will not harm the lemon tree.  The copper is an approved organic product that has a zero day pre-harvest interval. That means you could actually spray today and eat today, although I wouldnt do that myself.  If there are fruit nearly ready to eat, just wash it good before consumption.  I hope you are able to save the tree.  Good Luck.