Hi, my decorative plum tree has been fine up until this spring when the blooms were sparse and it doesn't look well. Upon closer inspection, I'm shocked at what looks like cankers on it. I'm not sure it can be saved but if it can, any suggestions on what to use or do? I know cankers are a fungus. See the photos I took recently. Thanks! Gayle
Name: Big Bill Livonia Michigan (Zone 6a) If you need to relax, grow plants!!
Those are NOT cankers! Those are harmless lichens.
They are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae growing together for their mutual benefit.
They will not harm a plant. They are NOT parasites. They just adhere to host species without any penetration whatsoever!!!
You may want to have a professional look at those 'wound like areas' in the bark. That could be a sign of something wrong internally like "old age". As trees approach old age/senility, it would be normal to see a loss of flower production.
Orchid lecturer, teacher and judge. Retired Wildlife Biologist. Supervisor of a nature preserve up until I retired.
BigBill, I'm aware of the lichen on the tree as I have many, many trees on my property with lichen. I'm referring to the area of the bark that looks rotted. Thanks.
