Cankers and Diebacks
Multiple fungi (Botryosphaeria spp., Cytospora spp., Neonectria spp., and oth...
3 host plants
Last updated
Cankers and dieback cause progressive branch death and plant decline. You see sunken cankers that slowly expand and girdle branches over time. Fungal pathogens and stress interact to cause problems. Remove dead and diseased branches, improve growing conditions, and maintain tree vigor.
Prune out cankered branches at least six inches below visible symptoms, making cuts into healthy wood. Sterilize your tools between cuts. Canker pathogens typically enter through wounds, so minimize pruning injuries and avoid working on trees when bark is wet. Maintain tree vigor through proper watering and avoid stress from drought or compacted soil, which makes trees more susceptible.
Quick Reference
Management
Host stress from transplant shock, drought, frost, compacted soils; fresh wounds from pruning or storm damage; prolonged wet weather
Cultural Controls
- Remove dead branches, cutting well below any visible discoloration in the bark. Infected material should be removed and destroyed if possible. Take special care to avoid wounding trees during the growing season. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, nitrogen applications late in the growing season, or late-season cultivation or irrigation. Paint