Plumme tree sick?

[Kaiseracota]

I have a Victoria plumme tree that seems to have had better days. Can anyone see what the tree is being challenged by?

 

[cpp gardener]

It seems to be growing well. I’m guessing your question relates to the white ‘conch’ on the lower trunk. It is the fruiting body of a fungus growing inside the tree. There is no control for it, but as you can see, it doesn’t affect the overall health of the tree. You can do nothing and wait for eventual decline then replace the tree, or you can replace it now. The fungus entered the trunk through a wound years ago and won’t affect a new tree planted in the same place.

 

[Chuck]

It seems to be growing well. I’m guessing your question relates to the white ‘conch’ on the lower trunk. It is the fruiting body of a fungus growing inside the tree. There is no control for it, but as you can see, it doesn’t affect the overall health of the tree. You can do nothing and wait for eventual decline then replace the tree, or you can replace it now. The fungus entered the trunk through a wound years ago and won’t affect a new tree planted in the same place.

The only thing I can see wrong with the tree is the bark cracking/splitting. This was most likely caused by really cold weather followed by warm weather, most likely this past winter sometime. There is nothing you can do for this except to spray the splitting bark with either Neem Oil or horticultural oil to kill any insects or eggs that are there. It will do nothing about the cracks and only time will cure this. I did see what might be insect damage on some of the young fruit that looks like a tiny pinprick. Was there any damage to the fruit last year? As far as the lichens and fungus on the trunk, this will not harm the tree.