Who mourns for Mollie?

Back in the winter I planted a Mollie's Delicious apple tree as a companion to the Gala I planted the year before (and dutifully pruned the whip back at the time, and treated the roots with a growth stimulant). Galas are supposed to be somewhat self-fruitful, but a pollinator is helpful. The Mollie, along with the Gala, are low-chill varieties that are tolerant of the alkalai black clay around New Braunfels, and both are recommended specifically for Comal County. After a slow start, the Mollie's been growing very determinedly. There was strong vertical growth, and many leafy sprouts up the trunk, which I planned to prune back during the dormant winter months. Essentially, the Mollie was growing as vigorously as any apple tree could. Until several weeks ago. The leaves started browning at the edges, yellowing all over, then browning all over and dropping.



Neither the Gala nor our pear trees were showing signs of this, so I didn't think it was fireblight (which was a big problem last year, what with all the rain). That didn't stop me from spraying for such, just in case (fireblight was rough on the pear trees last year--and our varieties are resistant!). After consulting with Dr. Jerry Parsons at A&M the verdict is... not good. It's not fireblight--the tree's suffering some sort of root problem. It may lose all its leaves. It may re-root over winter and recover in the spring, or may be dead, dead, dead.

There are many possible causes of this. Over-watering is one (possible, since we've been watering frequently because of the drought--but again, none of the other trees are suffering). Cotton root rot is another (!) I so desperately hope we don't have cotton root rot. If so, replanting another apple (or pear, or pretty much any kind of fruit tree, not to mention oaks, pines, cypress...) will result in the same cruel death. What's worse, it may be only a matter of time before the Gala, the pears, Lisa's roses and almost everything else we've planted goes belly-up. And there's not a whole lot of stuff out there that's resistant (well, not a whole lot that we're actively interested in, at any rate. A huisatche isn't an even trade for an apple, in my book).

There is some hope, though. The leaves are shedding after becoming afflicted, which is atypical for cotton root rot (afflicted trees are generally supposed to hold their dead leaves). And the tree's decline has been more gradual than what I understand is supposed to be a very rapid root rot death. (Can you tell I'm grasping at any glimmer of hope I can?)

In the winter, when the trees are dormant, I plan to dig up some of the Mollie's roots and check for the fibrous signs of cotton root rot infection. So I may know one way or the other. Or not. Cotton root rot sucks.

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