Cytospora canker

Cytospora Canker (Cytospora spp.)

Identification

• Large amounts of oozing, dark colored sap, infected with microscopic spores.
• Systematic dying off of infected tree limbs branch by branch.

Reasons for Control

• Drastically decreases the lifetime of orchards.
• Spores easily spread from tree to tree and orchard to orchard.

Control Notes

• Take steps to reduce damage to trees as spores infect open wounds.
• Don’t prune in wet conditions or with unsanitary equipment which can increase contamination.
• Burn infected wood to destroy spores – do not chip and use as mulch.