Knowledgebase
Help Identifying Potential Fire Blight on Apple Tree #885458
Asked September 16, 2024, 3:34 PM EDT
Hello,
I’m hoping to get some help with an apple tree on my property in Oakland County, MI. I’m worried it may have fire blight, but I’m not sure and would love some advice.
I moved into my home four years ago, and the tree was already on the property. At the time, it had large branches that had been cut off, and this past April (2024), we removed a dead branch ourselves, making sure to sanitize the cutting blade with rubbing alcohol. The trunk has always had a strange appearance since we moved in. In the first year, the tree also had carpenter ants, which we were able to get rid of by spraying.
This spring, the tree bloomed beautifully and produced apples. However, now there is only one apple left on the tree. I’ve attached images of the tree in September 2024. I’m hoping someone can help me determine if this is fire blight or something else.
I would love to save the tree, as the apples are delicious, and the blooms are stunning. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Jennifer,
I don't see any apparent symptoms of fire blight from these pictures. The warm and wet conditions this year were favorable for diseases and rots, though I suspect your fruit loss had more to do with squirrels and other local wildlife. I don't have any direct resources or recommendations for that, unfortunately. An online search suggests bagging fruit or finding other ways to deter wildlife, but that sounds like an extension article that needs to be written.
If you do find some diseased leaves you can either submit a picture here or you can submit a sample to MSU's Plant and Pest Diagnostics lab for a positive identification: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
Some of the leaves on the lower branches appear to be stunted, perhaps from an herbicide used on the lawn. I would simply prune out those branches- they are not serving any purpose for the tree.
There are some wide gaps and cankers making the tree look a bit gnarly here. Those can be caused by a few things- animal damage, lawnmower damage, apple canker, among other things that can infect the tree young and grow into a larger canker. As long as those cankers don't circle all the way around the tree (causing it to be girdled) the tree will survive.
I can't see the canopy of the tree from this picture, but my guess is that you would benefit from pruning. We recently updates a pruning tip sheet at MSU Extension aimed towards backyard growers: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-pruning-and-training-backyard-apple-and-pear-trees
