Fireblight
Blossoms, leaves and shoot tips suddenly wilt and turn brown-black as if scorched, but stay hanging on the branches. Shoot tips bend over like a shepherd’s crook and in damp weather drops of milky ooze appear; mainly on hawthorn, cotoneaster, pyracantha, rowan, pear, apple and quince.
The bacterium Erwinia amylovora spreads via insects, rain, wind and pruning tools, especially in warm, humid weather during flowering.
What can you do?
- In Belgium, fireblight is a regulated, notifiable plant disease: report any suspected case to the FASFC (the federal food safety agency) and follow its instructions.
- In dry weather, cut out affected branches at least 50 cm below the visible damage and disinfect your secateurs with alcohol (70%) after every cut.
- Have badly affected shrubs and trees removed completely, preferably by a tree surgeon.
- Take the prunings away in sealed bags with the general waste; never compost, shred or leave them lying around.
Prevention
Don’t plant susceptible hosts such as hawthorn, cotoneaster and pyracantha near fruit trees, and choose less susceptible varieties. Check host plants after warm, humid weather during flowering.
When to watch out: May–July