![]() ![]() They often begin at the bases of blighted spurs, shoots, and suckers. This is true of susceptible pears, especially Bartlett, Bosc, and Red Clapp's, and certain apple rootstocks, especially M.26 and M.9.Ĭankers, slightly sunken areas of various sizes surrounded by irregular cracks, occur on small to large limbs, trunks, and even roots. Suckers at the base of trees are often invaded and may blight back to the trunk or rootstock, causing the loss of the entire tree in one season. Infected branches may be girdled, resulting in loss of the entire branch. Inside these droplets are millions of bacteria, which may cause new infections.įire blight bacteria can move from blighted spurs and shoots through the vascular system into larger limbs and tree trunks. Pearly or amber-colored droplets of bacterial ooze are often present on diseased blossoms, fruit, and leaf stems, on succulent shoot stems, and on the exterior of infected fruits. A characteristic symptom of shoot blight is the bending of terminal growth into the shape of a shepherd's crook. The leaves wilt rapidly, turn dark, and remain attached as in the case of spur blight. It may occur any time during the season while the shoots are still growing and when environmental conditions are most favorable for the disease. Shoot blight begins with the infection of the young, succulent growing tip. Some remain even after normal leaf fall.įire blight's two main symptoms are shoot blight and cankers on limbs. The blighted flowers and leaves remain attached for much, if not all, of the growing season. The leaves wilt, turning brown on apples and quince and dark brown to black on pear. Here they follow the midrib and main veins, which soon darken. Bacteria may move through the pedicel to the fruit spur and out into the leaves. Infected blossoms wilt rapidly and turn light to dark brown. The disease gains entry to the tree through two main points, blossoms and new shoots, and often appears first in spring as blossom, fruit spur, and new shoot blight. Some susceptible varieties include Braeburn, Crimson Crisp, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Jonathan, Rome, Yellow Transparent, and Idared. Certain varieties of apples are more susceptible than others. In fruit trees, the disease can kill blossoms, fruit, shoots, limbs, and tree trunks. Jeff Ishee is general manager of the Rockingham County Fair and produces a daily farm report for radio stations.Fire blight also occurs frequently on pyracantha, spirea, hawthorn, and mountain ash. Also, you will likely get better spray coverage of limbs, branches and shoots. This avoids spraying some of the wood and then just pruning it out and discarding it. It is important to do your pruning before dormant sprays are applied. Spray all wood surface areas thoroughly on a windless day when the temperature is expected to remain above 40 degrees for at least 24 hours. The coat of light oil will help control scales, aphids and mites. Follow label directions carefully.įruit trees should also be sprayed in early March with dormant oil. Bordeaux mixture is copper-based and is an outstanding fungicide and bactericide that has been used for decades to control diseases of tree fruits, vine fruits, and ornamentals. If you can’t get to it now, just make sure to spray prior to bud swell in spring. In my experience, Bordeaux mix works well and can be easily applied to apple, peach and pear trees. These “mummies” are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungi harmful to fruit trees.Ī mild day in December or January is also a good time to spray fruit trees. Clean all tools with a 10 percent bleach solution after each cut to avoid spreading the bacteria.Īnother way to control Fire blight is be sure to pick up mummified fruit around the base of the tree. This will decrease the chance of spreading the bacterial infection next spring. You should also remove any root sprouts or suckers. If this disease is found in your own trees, the unhealthy branches should be pruned about 6 to 8 inches below the canker. The ooze turns dark after exposure to air, leaving dark streaks on the branches or trunks. ![]() The first sign of Fire blight is a reddish, watery ooze coming from the infected branch or canker. They are sometimes cracked around the edge. Look on trunks and large limbs for depressed areas of discolored bark. Symptoms include overwintering cankers which are clearly visible at this time of year. Varieties such as Gala, Jonathan, Granny Smith, York and Jonagold are particularly susceptible to Fire blight. ![]() Fire blight damage is a common problem with apple and pear trees in most of Virginia and West Virginia. ![]()
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