Fire Blight

bacteria

Erwinia amylovora

Devastating bacterial disease of apple, pear, and related fruit trees. Can kill entire trees.

Identification

Blackened, scorched-looking shoots that curve into a shepherd's crook. Bacterial ooze on infected bark. Rapid blackening of blossoms.

Branch dieback. Cankers on trunk. Tree death in severe cases. Blighted blossoms, fruit, and shoots.

Prune infected branches 12 inches below visible infection. Sterilize tools between cuts. Copper spray at bloom.

Streptomycin spray during bloom. Oxytetracycline.

Resistant varieties. Avoid excess nitrogen (promotes susceptible growth). Do not prune in wet weather. Sterilize pruning tools.

Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm