Help! Sick Apple Tree

[JessicaG]

Help needed. I have a 6ish year old apple tree that isn't doing great. It has what I believe is white powdery mildew after doing some googling but also had these white mushrooms growing on it? I cut off the branch with all the mushrooms but the rest is still covered in that white fuzz and only a very small percentage of the tree is budding. Two years ago (2020) it was healthy and produced quite a few apples but last year it didn't produce any. Is there anything I can do to save it?

 

[YumYum]

When I see mushrooms growing in the ground, on a tree root, connected to whatever tree, that tree is usually dead. It take a few years to actually see it. Eastern White Pine for instance here. I've never seen mushrooms growing on any tree or limbs though. Let it grow what it can and whatever buds out is still alive and whatever does not, then cut that part off. The limb you cut off and posted a pic of looks dead. What does the rest of the tree look like? Is it in full sun?

 

[Chuck]

First I would make sure the tree is still alive. Scratch the bark and see if it is still greenish. If not it is dead. Send closeup pic of limbs with the white powdery stuff. Also send pic of the base of the tree where it comes out of the ground.

 

[JessicaG]

The tree is in full sun. I cut a few limbs and smaller dead-looking branches today and it was still greenish on the inside. It just rained here so pics are a little tricky but I did my best. I could take more when it dries out.

 

[Chuck]

I believe you are correct. I believe this is a form of powdery mildew called Mildew of Apple and is quite a bit different than regular powdery mildew. The only way I know of to treat this organically is with Actinovate orNeem Oil but these aren't all that good. There are a number of chemicals that orchards use however that seem to control it. I would talk to a local expert and see what they use.