Seven Tips To Combat Fire Blight

Researchers from Washington State University Extension offer several pointers to prevent the spread of fire blight bacteria:

Cut blight out of the orchard in the winter, and when it is noticed during the summer.
Control the amount of moisture in the orchard. During the highest fire blight risks, give the orchard some soil drying time.
Remove blossom infections by hand on young trees. Plant fire blight resistant rootstock.
Apply a biocontrol if blossoms are expected during a high risk temperature period.
Use models and advisories as a reference of when to apply control products.
Use preventative sprays, when appropriate. When the risk rises from “low” to “moderate,” monitor the daily blight calculations. If the risk level is “high,” applying a preventative spray may be a best practice. When risk levels are “extreme,” use all blight control practices.
Scout your orchard five-seven days after an infection period for blight symptoms. Remove strikes if found.

For more information on each of these steps, visit
http://county.wsu.edu/chelan-douglas/agriculture/treefruit/Pages/Fire_Blight_Control.aspx.

Comments (1)

Loren Luyendyk (Sat Jan 19 02:52:45 2013)

Tip #1 should include disinfecting your pruners/saws with TSP (trisodium phosphate) after each cut. Bleach does not work, only TSP kills it. If you cut out fireblight and then make another cut you can infect other branches or trees. This is a VERY important point that they left out... Also infected branches should be burnt and not chipped or composted. Loren Luyendyk ISA Certified Arborist

Manage and control the risks of the disease by being pro-active in your orchard.