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Fire Blight Disease
Have you noticed something peculiar about your apple or pear trees, or even your rose bushes? Does it appear that they are burned, starting from the blossoms and spreading to the branches? If so, your precious trees or bushes may have Fire Blight, a disease that is spreading across the nation, infecting apple, pear, crabapple, cotoneaster and Mountain Ash trees, as well as rose bushes.
Fire Blight is caused by a bacteria (erwinia amylovora) that usually starts on the blossoms and creeps up the twigs and branches, leaving a charred, black burn behind with shriveled, brown blossoms and scorched, curled leaves. Sound bad? If left unchecked it can advance and become fatal; the bacteria grows into cankers on the branches, oozing a brownish, reddish colored exudate.
How Does It Spread?
Fire Blight is most rampant in late spring and early summer when the bacteria is no longer dormant and cankers are oozing. It can spread in many ways: from rain splashing the bacteria onto the plants and trees, to gardeners accidentally watering or using tools from one plant or tree to the next containing the bacteria.
What Should I Do With Infected Bushes or Trees?
Unfortunately, a cure for the disease is unknown. Take special care in cutting branches at least 8 inches from the infected area and dispose of the infected piece by either burning it or placing it in the trash. Do not let the infected area touch any other bushes or trees. Be sure to clean and disinfect your gardening tools with a bleach or denatured alcohol solution.
If you suspect any of your trees are infected with Fire Blight and you need assistance, please contact one of our certified arborists at the Johnson Tree Company: treepilot@johnsontree.com or 605-342-0555.
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