midlands, United Kingdom

Hi There,

I have a Tree fern which I believe is Dicksonia antarctica.

I have had issues with this since September when i noticed canker, and a possible edema. I had treated the wound accordingly back then with Bordeaux mix (Copper) and also dug more sand and compost into the soil around the base of the trunk understanding the problem to be one of respiration. I also used a mix of armatillox and water to disinfect the soil.

Since then, the tree has been covered over winter, and what was once an orange wound has now become a white scar ?!? Is this a sign that it is healing and that I should cut the infected part away now and re-disinfect, or does this look really bad and if all else fails cut the tree in half and stand a chance of saving it ???

Any advice would be truly appreciated, its such a lovely tree, nearly 6ft tall !?!

First pic, November, 2nd and 3rd pic, 2 weeks old.

Many Thanks, The Lone Gardener

On plant Dicksonia antarctica

• 13 Feb, 2011