If infection does occur, prune infected twigs and branches. Early detection is critical for management of disease. Monitor often in spring and again in mid-winter.Fertilize only if warranted via soil testing excess nitrogen encourages lush new growth which is more susceptible to the disease. Very unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, so prevention and early management are key. As the bacteria spreads, cankers appear as sunken or cracked area on branches and the cycle is ready to repeat. Symptoms of fire blight are wilting shoots, cankers on branches and blackened leaves, giving the trees a scorched appearance! Young twigs and branches die from the terminal end and may bend at the tip to look like a shepherds hook, while the dead leaves remain on the branches both ugly, tell-tale signs. Other major means of infections are open wounds, perhaps caused by storm damage, rain splash and pruning equipment. This is the primary way the disease is spread- ooze to insect to blossoms. In spring, when temperatures get above 60 degrees and conditions are wet and humid, the cankers begin to ooze, attracting insects to it. The fire blight bacterium over winters in cankers on infected host plants. Most susceptible are apple, crabapple, pear and ornamental pear trees, however other host plants include cotoneaster, hawthorn, flowering quince, raspberry, blackberry, mountain ash and spiraea. Fire Blight ( Erwinia amylovora) is a devastating, yet common bacterial disease affecting an estimated 75 species of plants in the Rosaceae family. We are here to help you during these hot summer months and beyond.We are seeing some unfortunate incidents of fire blight in our area, very much connected to the extended rainy spring we experienced. Please email for any of your tree servicing needs. More info on this subject is available at this website. Chemical control is generally not recommended in home landscape situations. Bradford pears have a tendency to promote succulent growth, therefore, remove water sprouts that form on susceptible tree species as they appear. Avoid excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers and excessive pruning, both of which promote succulent growth. Cankered areas on large branches and trunks should be pruned out during the dormant season.įire Blight is worse on succulent tissues. This will reduce the chances of disease spread. It is very important that the pruning blade is disinfected after each cut with a 9:1 alcohol to water solution. The pruning cut should be made through healthy wood 6-8 inches below the point of visible infection. The bacteria are usually found somewhat in advance of the obviously diseased tissue. During the late summer when bacterial growth slows, all infected twigs and branches should be pruned out and discarded. As time passes, the twigs and leaves will appear to be scorched.įire Blight control is very difficult to obtain. At first glance, one might think the tree is suffering from a fertility or water stress problem. During humid or rainy weather, blighted tissues usually exude a milkylike, sticky liquid or ooze containing the bacteria. Blossoms appear water-soaked, later turning brown then black. This year with the high humidity and early rainfall, we have experienced more Fire Blight than usual.įire Blight symptoms are first observed in the spring. Unfortunately, they are not without problems. This disease is Fire Blight, a bacterial disease which can severely damage apples and pears.īradford pears are one of the most common landscape trees found in this area. Have you ever noticed the leaves on Bradford pears turning a bronze or brown color? This bronzing is followed by dead tissue forming in the tree.
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