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New apple trees - is this fire blight #867453

Asked May 07, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT

NC near Raleigh. New to fruit trees. I bought & planted 2 new apple trees about 6 weeks ago. Both were in flower. Since then, all of the flowering spurs seem to have died on both trees - not just the flowers, but the leaves on the spurs have all browned but remain on the tree. I've also had a couple of new growth shoots curl over & brown the same way. Both trees are otherwise putting out new growth on all branches though. It seems like it's new growth that was already on the trees when I planted them that is affected. I do suspect I was overwatering at first. Is this characteristic of stress from planting or overwatering? Could it be fire blight? I went back & checked remaining trees from the same supplier, they all look like this. I was considering adding a couple more, but if they're diseased then I'd rather replace the ones I got, using a different supplier, rather than throw good money after bad. File attached with a few images.

Wake County North Carolina

Expert Response

Bump.

The Question Asker Replied May 12, 2024, 3:35 PM EDT
From your pictures it does appear that your apple trees have Fire Blight, a bacterial disease.   This organism can infect the flowers and spread to twigs and branches.  Tips of branches will turn black and begin to curve giving the appearance of a shepherd's crook.  The best cultural practice is to plant resistant varieties of apples.  If the disease does develop then sanitation practices such as pruning out infected branches and disposing of this material is helpful but not a cure.  Cuts should be made 10 to 12 inches below the diseased area.  Pruning tools need to be disinfected after each cut (use a 10% beach solution). The article linked below will provide additional information.  

https://wayne.ces.ncsu.edu/2016/05/fire-blight-on-apple-pear-trees/
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 18, 2024, 10:16 PM EDT

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