I live in Illinois and have a 10 year old purple plum tree. Last spring I noticed a large branch did not bloom...this spring same story. Upon inspecting tree today, I noticed what appears to be "small brown holes" in tree trunk. The trunk is cracked in numerous areas; and I was able to easily remove a part. Under bark it was dry, brown and one spot had a "webbing" on it. Does anyone know what is causing this and how I should proceed?
Maybe part of it froze and borers got into the damaged portion. Webbing might be fungus growing on dead wood. After the record 1990 winter here many purpleleaf plums had dead branches scattered through their crowns.