Fierce Fireblight

Here at ArborScape, we’ve observed a widespread case of fireblight in our apple and pear trees this season. It’s likely due to all the rain we received earlier this year, which is one of the many ways this disease can spread.

Fireblight is an incredibly destructive bacterial disease that affects pomme fruit trees, such as crabapples, pear, and apple trees, as well as quince and firethorns. So if you have any of these trees, you’ll definitely want to be on the lookout for the following symptoms.

Symptoms of Fireblight

Fireblight can cause damage to just about every part of the host tree. Symptoms to look for can include damage in the form of a canker on the tree’s trunk or limbs or even leave behind a scorched-looking effect on branches and leaves that can even look wet. 

But the easiest telltale sign is that the tips of the branches start to curl in, almost forming what we call a “shepherd’s crook”.

tree infected with fireblight

If you’ve noticed any of these issues with your trees, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion from one of our certified arborists! We’re happy to head out to your property for a free estimate to examine your tree to double-check its overall condition and see what the possible options are.

Because while fireblight can be controlled, there is no guaranteed cure, and if left alone for too long, can cause the death of the tree.

In the unfortunate instance where the tree is too far gone to save, our crew can go in and safely remove the tree to ensure the disease doesn’t continue and then spread to other plants in the area. 

Removal is necessary as it is incredibly infectious and easily spreadable through rain, wind, and even insects that ingest sap from the bacteria-infested tree.

Due to the disease being highly contagious, we also take great care in disinfecting our tools every time we treat an infected tree to ensure we don’t accidentally spread the disease to more trees on another project.

It’s great if you’re able to catch fireblight early on, as this could potentially save your tree with a bit of pruning. Our crew also has the ability to prune out the infected limbs to keep the disease from spreading throughout the rest of the tree.

However, you’ll have to note that any removal or pruning of fireblight-infested trees can only be done in the winter months, while the disease (and tree) is dormant as this is the best way to truly avoid it spreading.

Be forewarned, however, as occasionally fireblight can survive the winter in sunken cankers, which is a dead section on the bark on branches or trunks formed by injuries made by mechanical injuries or colonized wounded tissue.

This is why even after your tree has been pruned of fireblight, you’ll want to keep an eye on it as the season shifts into spring. If the disease manages to survive, the tree will ooze sap to attract bees and other insects, who in turn ingest the bacteria in the sap and spread it to other healthy trees.

So if you want to make sure your apple and pear trees are kept safe from fireblight, don’t wait to give us a call or visit our website for more information. And if you know anyone whose trees might be in danger from this disease, don’t hesitate to share this knowledge with them.



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