As certain trees begin to bloom this season, fruit trees in particular, there are a few diseases and related issues that you want to keep an eye out for and help your trees steer clear of. One good example here is known as fire blight disease, which is most common for fruit trees like apple trees and pear trees.
At Logan Extermination, we’re here to offer a wide range of tree care services to clients around Logan, including fruit tree spray and disease prevention tactics. Here are some basics on fire blight disease and how it works, plus how to identify it and prevent it from becoming an issue for your fruit trees – with help from our tree service specialists wherever needed.
What is Fire Blight Disease?
For those just learning about tree diseases, fire blight is a bacterial infection that can affect fruit trees such as apple, pear, and quince trees. It gets its name from the way it affects the leaves and branches of the tree, making them look like they have been scorched by fire. This disease primarily affects plants in the rose family and is most common during warm, humid weather conditions.
In addition to those tree types, fire blight disease can also impact firethorns, hawthorn, toyon and several other tree varieties. Pear, quince and apple trees are most susceptible, however.
How to Identify Fire Blight Disease
There are a few telltale signs of fire blight disease, typically present in spring as soon as trees begin active growth. Here are some of the common indicators:
- Watery, light tan ooze: In most cases, the first noticeable sign of fire blight is the appearance of light tan or amber-colored ooze that seeps from the plant’s cankers and lesions. This ooze may have a sour, fermented smell to it. It may turn dark after air exposure.
- Wilting flowers: As the disease progresses, you may notice wilted and blackened flowers on affected trees. These are often referred to as “blackened blossoms.”
- Brown or black leaves: Another sign of fire blight is discolored foliage. Leaves may turn brown or black and appear burned around the edges.
- Twig dieback: Eventually, branches and twigs will begin to die back due to infection by fire blight. The tips of branches will turn black and die off.
And unfortunately, once the pathogen that causes fire blight disease has infected a given tree, this pathogen will remain in the tree permanently.
Preventing and Fighting Fire Blight Disease
While chemical treatment can be helpful for preventing fire blight disease, this approach alone typically won’t be enough – especially if your trees have dealt with this issue in the past. We’ll begin with such chemical treatments on our list of methods for preventing it, but be sure to also read the additional tips as well, as they’re quite important.
- Copper chemical control: When it comes to fire blight, copper-based chemicals are one of the only effective options – and even they are not perfect. If they are applied correctly as blossoms open on your trees, they are likely to have a positive effect in reducing new infections. However, if existing infections are already present at the time of application, it may not be able to remove all existing infections entirely. This is why following the other steps on this list is so important, as well.
- Avoiding nitrogen fertilization and heavy pruning: During the early spring, it is recommended to avoid fertilizing your trees with nitrogen as this can encourage new growth and make them more susceptible to infections. Additionally, heavy pruning during this time can also leave open wounds which are ideal entry points for pathogens.
- No irrigation during bloom: If your trees are in bloom, it is best to avoid irrigating them. This can also encourage new growth and make them more vulnerable to diseases.
- Monitoring and removing infections: Regularly inspect your trees for any signs of infections or diseases. If you spot any, it is important to promptly remove the infected parts and dispose of them properly to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Pruning techniques: When pruning your fruit trees, use proper techniques to ensure that the wounds heal quickly and effectively. This includes making clean cuts at an angle just above a bud or branch collar.
Our team at Logan Extermination is here to help with any and all of your fruit tree pruning needs. We have extensive knowledge and experience in proper pruning techniques to promote healthy growth and prevent disease. Contact us today to learn about this or any of our other tree care solutions for clients around Logan!
