Disease
Bacterial Canker
A bacterial disease of stone fruits causing sunken oozing cankers on branches, shot-hole in leaves, and blossom dieback, often girdling branches completely.
Symptoms to Look For
- Sunken, dead patches on bark weeping amber gum in spring
- Round brown spots on leaves that fall out leaving a ragged shot-hole appearance
- Dead buds and blossoms failing to open in spring; branch dieback beyond a canker
Affected Plants
CherryPlumPeachNectarineApplePear
Organic Solutions
Pruning infected wood
Cut out all cankered branches to at least 10 cm below visible infection during dry weather in summer; sterilise tools between cuts with methylated spirits.
Copper spray
Apply a copper-based spray to all leaf and shoot surfaces at leaf fall and again at bud swell to reduce bacterial inoculum on wound surfaces.
Prevention
- Prune stone fruits only during dry summer weather when bacterial infection through wounds is least likely
- Avoid water stress and waterlogging, both of which weaken tree defences against bacterial entry
- Choose resistant or tolerant varieties where possible, particularly in wet climates
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.