Applications should then continue on a 4 to 5 day interval during periods of high humidity and until the late bloom is over. Once the blooms open, apply the first round of spray when the average temperature exceeds 60 degrees. The copper spray must be applied to open blossoms so the number of applications needed depends on the length of the blooming period. If possible, try to avoid planting varieties of fruit trees that are most susceptible to the disease.Ĭopper products can be used to prevent fire blight but they often don’t provide adequate control against the disease. Monitor fruit trees regularly and remove and destroy any infections that appear. Irrigation should be avoided during blooming season. Because the new growth tissue of fruit trees are very susceptible to this disease, fertilizer application and pruning should be avoided if possible as this promotes new growth, providing ample opportunity for the blight to spread. It is important to cut far enough below the lesions to remove them all – generally about 12 inches below the lowest point of disease tissue. Pruning shears should be dipped in a 10% solution of bleach and water to help prevent the spread of disease. Infected sections of the tree should be removed immediately. Fire blight enters the tree through new growth (flowers and flower stems) and makes its way up the branch, into the trunk, and then the roots. Warmer temperatures (75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) combined with intermittent rain bringing moisture create the ideal conditions for fire blight to thrive. Causesįire blight is driven by seasonal weather. If left untreated, the disease will eventually spread to the root system. Once the disease spreads to the wood, the wood beneath the bark will leave reddish streaks. As the disease progresses, leaves begin to shrivel, dieback, and turn black. These lesions are usually small and very easy to miss on inspection. This liquid turns dark after exposure to air and can leave long, dark streaks. Symptomsįire blight is named for the burned look of leaves on infected trees as it destroys fruit, leaves, and branches and can even kill susceptible trees. Fire blight starts with abscesses that form on tree trunks and branches that ooze a watery, light-tan bacterial liquid. Aristocrat apples are highly susceptible to fire blight Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and others are also susceptible. Bradford, Capitol, and Red Spire pears are less susceptible but still at risk. Most pear tree varieties including Asian pears and red pears are highly susceptible to this disease. Pear, quince, apple, crabapple, and firethorns are some of the most susceptible to fire blight hawthorn, juneberry, serviceberry, mountain ash, and other related plants are less common but can still fall victim to fire blight. Fire blight is a common disease caused by a bacteria that primarily affects ornamental fruit trees.
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