I have apricot tree that has a lot of bark issues and recently I discovered borers as well. While I am fighting it as I could, I am thinking how to prevent borers on my new apricot I am going to plant next year. I got an idea that I can’t find discussed online, I want to run by the hands on experts. I always protect young tree’ s trunk with stiff 1/2 inch wire mesh against rodents. I make sure it is at least 2 inches into the soil. What if, I use fine mesh, that I use to cover my crop around that metal mesh? I can tie top end of it to the trunk loosely, on the first branch level. That should stop moth from laying eggs on the bark… What do I miss?
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I think it would, but suggest nylon screening using rubber electric tape to attach to trunk. Easy-peasy. Probably stop rodents as well, even though they might chew through it. Hmm, maybe metal would be better for its 2 birds affect.
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Thanks! I mean nylon on top of metal, for rodents and to make sure that nylon doesn’t cling to the trunk - I have seen moth laying eggs in my plums right through nylon mesh bag if it lays on the fruit.
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Is your apricot tree on a peach rootstock? I think most non-peach rootstocks used for apricots (Citation, Myro, Krymsk 1) are not susceptible (or at least less susceptible than peach is) to peach borers. Anyway, I think your idea is neat!
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I have no idea what root stock it is on - tree was from Stark’s and they do not let you know what root stock they used. I guess borer got attracted to the bark already damaged by canker, damage is pretty bad, I am not so sure that tree will survive upcoming winter. But borer damage appeared just recently - there were no frass before and I found it couple days ago, used the wire to crash whoever was there… So protection will be on the new apricot, that one will be on Citation. Thanks!
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