Confirming fire blight on apple tree - Ask Extension
Hello,
I think one of the apple trees at my EMG project (Upper Valley Haven) has fire blight. I'm attaching two pictures - can you confirm that is...
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Confirming fire blight on apple tree #789698
Asked May 07, 2022, 5:05 PM EDT
Hello,
I think one of the apple trees at my EMG project (Upper Valley Haven) has fire blight. I'm attaching two pictures - can you confirm that is what is happening?
Thank you,
Faith Alexandre
Windsor County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi, Faith. I have minimal experience with fruit trees, so I will request an expert to weigh in on evaluating your photos. While you wait for that response, here are two good resources with extensive descriptions of fire blight and what to do about it:
1. Fire Blight on Pome Fruit (wvu.edu)
2. Apple IPM - Fire Blight (ag.umass.edu)
I hope this helps.
-Juanita
UVM Ext. Master Gardener Helpline
1. Fire Blight on Pome Fruit (wvu.edu)
2. Apple IPM - Fire Blight (ag.umass.edu)
I hope this helps.
-Juanita
UVM Ext. Master Gardener Helpline
Hello Faith: It is impossible to tell if fire blight was involved or whether it was another fungal canker disease at this point. The problem is that the branch stub was left too long, and something invaded and has caused the canker (sunken dead area). You can prune the branch back to a side branch or main trunk to remove the dead area and not leave a stub. No wound paint is required but do it on a dry day and sterilize between cuts if you make another cut on the tree.
Ann - UVM Plant Pathologist
Watch for fireblight on NEW shoots this spring when it is warm and wet. If you do see the characteristic "shepard's crooking" that looks like the branch has been hit by fire, prune out immediately on a dry day below the damage and destroy. Sterilize clippers between cuts.
Ann
Ann
