Knowledgebase
Disease tree #753598
Asked June 02, 2021, 4:28 PM EDT
Travis County Texas
Expert Response
There is unfortunately no cure for Nectria canker. To save the tree, prune six to eight inches below the canker, being sure to disinfect your saw or tools after each cut. (Use an 10% bleach solution and submerge your tools for 30 seconds - or use an commercial disinfectant.)
It is difficult to see from your photos whether the lower, still intact, part of your tree has any leaves or not. If it is leafless, the tree is most likely already dead and should be removed. However, if it has leafed out below the canker, it should survive.
The fact that the top of the tree "blew off" does in itself suggest that it was already diseased and weakened. Even in quite high winds, the tops of trees do not normally blew off.
Nectria canker is a pathogen whose spores are splashed or blown onto other branches and trees. Freezing temperatures can also help the pathogen take hold. However, it commonly enters through pruned limbs. Healthy trees are generally able to ward off the fungal attack.
With no cure for the nectria canker, prevention is the best attack. Be very cautious about pruning your nearby trees in the fall or during wet periods. Only prune during dry weather and remove any branches or limbs that appear to be infected.
Liz
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 3, 2021, at 6:20 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I am not familiar with which trees are nectria resistant, but a google search brought up the following:
trees that are nectria resistant - Bing - Shopping
You may also want to consider one of the Texas Superstar trees that are known to do well in Texas.
Texas Superstars 2020 by GO TEXAN - Issuu
Liz
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 6, 2021, at 6:14 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 6, 2021, at 6:14 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Travis County Master Gardeners
Garden in extreme Central Texas weather with "From Drought to Deluge: The Resilient Central Texas Garden" https://www.tcmastergardeners.org/drought-guide/
For live support, call our help desk at <personal data hidden> (leave a message)
Support TCMGA by shopping with Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2730023
Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 7:21 PM
To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: New response added to your question (#0023529)
Worldwide, Nectria fungi cause several common canker and dieback diseases, especially in hardwood trees. Nectria canker, which is caused by the fungus, Nectria galligena, may occur on over 60 species of trees and shrubs including apple, ash, birch, dogwood, elm, sweet gum, holly, maple, pear and walnut. A similar disease infects members of the magnolia family. Nectria canker is usually not a fatal disease, but it can cause considerable damage as the cankered area is weakened and susceptible to breakage. It may also adversely affect the appearance of the affected plant. This disease is important commercially as it reduces the quality and quantity of forest products.
Another member of the Nectria genus, Nectria cinnabarina, causes the disease Nectria dieback. Also known as coral spot Nectria canker or Nectria canker, this disease occurs on many plant species, including apple, ash, barberry, birch, boxwood, crabapple, elm, hickory, honey locust, linden, maple, pear, rose and Japanese zelkova. Nectria cinnabarina usually grows as a saprophyte on dead wood, but if a plant is wounded or otherwise stressed, the fungus becomes an opportunistic weak parasite, producing cankers and causing dieback of twigs and branches. Maples are especially affected by this disease as are recently wounded or severely pruned trees and shrubs, urban ornamentals and new transplants of other species.
Although it is most common in spring and fall, the Nectria fungus can infect plants throughout the year as long as there is sufficient moisture and the temperature is above freezing. Plants that are stressed by cold, drought, mechanical injuries or other disease are especially susceptible. Infections may be worse in autumn and winter when the host plant is dormant and wound recovery is weaker than in the growing season.Travis County Master Gardeners. David
Garden in extreme Central Texas weather with "From Drought to Deluge: The Resilient Central Texas Garden" https://www.tcmastergardeners.org/drought-guide/
For live support, call our help desk at <personal data hidden> (leave a message)
Support TCMGA by shopping with Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2730023
Sent: Friday, June 4, 2021 4:25 AM
To: Travis County Master Gardener <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: New response added to your question (#0023529)
Worldwide, Nectria fungi cause several common canker and dieback diseases, especially in hardwood trees. Nectria canker, which is caused by the fungus, Nectria galligena, may occur on over 60 species of trees and shrubs including apple, ash, birch, dogwood, elm, sweet gum, holly, maple, pear and walnut. A similar disease infects members of the magnolia family. Nectria canker is usually not a fatal disease, but it can cause considerable damage as the cankered area is weakened and susceptible to breakage. It may also adversely affect the appearance of the affected plant. This disease is important commercially as it reduces the quality and quantity of forest products.
Another member of the Nectria genus, Nectria cinnabarina, causes the disease Nectria dieback. Also known as coral spot Nectria canker or Nectria canker, this disease occurs on many plant species, including apple, ash, barberry, birch, boxwood, crabapple, elm, hickory, honey locust, linden, maple, pear, rose and Japanese zelkova. Nectria cinnabarina usually grows as a saprophyte on dead wood, but if a plant is wounded or otherwise stressed, the fungus becomes an opportunistic weak parasite, producing cankers and causing dieback of twigs and branches. Maples are especially affected by this disease as are recently wounded or severely pruned trees and shrubs, urban ornamentals and new transplants of other species.
Although it is most common in spring and fall, the Nectria fungus can infect plants throughout the year as long as there is sufficient moisture and the temperature is above freezing. Plants that are stressed by cold, drought, mechanical injuries or other disease are especially susceptible. Infections may be worse in autumn and winter when the host plant is dormant and wound recovery is weaker than in the growing season.Travis County Master Gardeners. David
Garden in extreme Central Texas weather with "From Drought to Deluge: The Resilient Central Texas Garden" https://www.tcmastergardeners.org/drought-guide/
For live support, call our help desk at <personal data hidden> (leave a message)
Support TCMGA by shopping with Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/74-2730023
Sent: Friday, June 4, 2021 4:25 AM
To: Travis County Master Gardener <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: New response added to your question (#0023529)
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 9, 2021, at 7:27 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
