What is Fire Blight?
What is Fire Blight? What are Fire Blight Symptoms? How do I treat Fire Blight? Jennifer Morris, Sales and Service Coordinator, answers all these questions and what you can do to protect your trees. What is Fire Blight? Fire Blight is a bacteria that affects many species common in our area including: • Apple • Pear • Cherry • Hawthorn Because it’s bacteria-based, it will continue to multiply if environmental conditions are favorable so it’s very important to be proactive. We usually notice Fire Blight in Spring and Summer (April through August). Fire Blight causes many areas of the plant to appear to be burned by fire. What are Fire Blight Symptoms? • Blackended leaves in a candy cane shape, and in time, turn completely brown • Small, brown cankers on twigs/branches • Cinnamon colored twigs/shoots The fall and winter are the best time to treat your trees. Pruning all blighted twigs and branches delays the spread. The most effective time to prune (trim) trees is during the cool, dry period (dormant season which is November through February). Fire Blight Treatment 1. For the best results, branches and twigs must be cut 12’’ below infected tissue. 2. After each cut pruning tools should be disinfected with 20% bleach to water solution. 3. Proper fertilization, watering and mulching will support the plants natural ability to combat the disease. Contact your local professionally trained arborist for your tree care services by visiting our website at http://www.davey.com/residential-tree-services/. For more information on the Fire Blight visit http://www.davey.com/arborist-advice/articles/fire-blight/.
