What’s the Difference Between Tree Burr Knots (Burl) and Crown Galls?
Does your fruit, nut, or shade tree have weird growths on its trunk or limbs?
There are two main reasons for this. One is that they are burr knots or burls. Your tree is confused and growing root tissue on its limbs.
The other reason is due to a bacterial infection that causes tumors to be produced. The disease is called crown gall and could mean the death of your tree.
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Read on to find out how to distinguish the two and what to do if the trunk or limbs are disfigured in this manner.
Burr Knots
While these growths may look like tumors, they are actually due to small root initials. Burr knots are typically found on the rootstock, but some scion cultivars can develop them on the limbs.
During the first year of growth, this tissue can grow in shady portions. High humidity and moderate to warm temperatures favor the growth of root initials.
They can break through the epidermis during the second year of growth. As the tree matures, they keep growing and form increasingly large knots.
Problems Associated with Burr Knots
Burr knots can cause several problems. First, they are prone to breakage under a large crop of fruit or nuts, under an ice or snow load, or when a windstorm strikes.
Second, if several burr knots grow together, they can stunt growth by limiting the phloem. If this happens, less sugar is transported to the area impacted by the knots. This part of the tree will fail to thrive.
And most frighteningly, they provide a way for insects and pathogens to enter the woody vegetation and fester inside of it. Many fruit trees, for example, can be infected
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