Hello,
I have a 25+ yr mesquite tree that is sick. It has lost about 40% of its leaves starting from the top working down. The tree has two main branches. Starting from where they fork and running about 2 ft long is a split in the bark of the branch that is about 1" wide by 1" deep. For 6" on either side of the split and for its entire length the bark is black. I can see some sap leaking out of the split and the flesh of the tree under the bark is also black. Further up the branch where a knott has fallen off exposing the tree flesh I can see half of it has turned black. In other words it looks to be spreading. The other branch has no split but there is a 1 ft long black area exactly like the ulcer I have already described.
Whats going on and can I cave this tree? Just bought the house and I dont want to lose it.
I have a 25+ yr mesquite tree that is sick. It has lost about 40% of its leaves starting from the top working down. The tree has two main branches. Starting from where they fork and running about 2 ft long is a split in the bark of the branch that is about 1" wide by 1" deep. For 6" on either side of the split and for its entire length the bark is black. I can see some sap leaking out of the split and the flesh of the tree under the bark is also black. Further up the branch where a knott has fallen off exposing the tree flesh I can see half of it has turned black. In other words it looks to be spreading. The other branch has no split but there is a 1 ft long black area exactly like the ulcer I have already described.
Whats going on and can I cave this tree? Just bought the house and I dont want to lose it.