Fire blight is a destructive, highly infectious and widespread disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora.
Fire blight thrives in warm, wet weather when the disease causing bacterium becomes active. Apple, Pear, quince, crabapple and mountain Ash, but not green ash, are commonly affected.
Trees with fire blight will start to show symptoms just before their flower petals fall. Infected blossoms appear water-soaked and wilt rapidly before turning dark brown. Leaves wilt, darken and remain attatched to the tree. This gives the tree a fire scorched appearance, thus the name “fire blight”.
Sadly sprays & treatments have very little effect on the existing infection.
For more information, please go to www.extension.missouri.edu
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