Fire blight is a systemic disease. The term "fireblight" describes the appearance of the disease, which can make affected areas appear blackened, shrunken, and cracked, as though scorched by fire. Primary infections are established in open blossoms and tender new shoots and leaves in the spring when blossoms are open.
It's been a battle dealing with this virus, and there's been a lot of truck driver jargon involved! We have lost 17 young trees so far. This year, after consulting a few "experts" and doing research on the web, I have decided to prune down the trees down to 3–4 feet in height. This will allow me several new tools to deal with this ongoing issue. First off....I will be picking off any and all blossoms that will be appearing this spring. There is nothing for the bees and other nectar-loving insects to do but carry this infection to other trees. The other non-loving nectar bugs, such as beetles and ladybugs, will be killed off with orchard sprays every three days. If the pests choose to stay on the tree during the winter dormancy period, they are exposed and are much more vulnerable to the control efforts. Many disease organisms are also just as exposed and are much easier to control as well. For the disease organisms, a copper spray is used.
It was very hard to butcher my work! The piles of cut branches will be burned soon—it's the only way to get rid of the fire blight in the area. I don't want to haul it to the local waste dump, for I may contaminate any trees along the route ....from falling branches and/or leaves.
