Fire blight

[mikewhite85]

There is a lot of fire blight in the pears around here. Seems like every time I see one it's infected.

Typically my plan of attack is to cut out all the blight, spraying my cutting tools with disinfectant every minute or so. I have heard also that the trees should be sprayed while dormant. What is the best chemical to spray them with?

 

[beastmaster]

Hi Mike, how are you doing? Fire-blight does go dormant along with the trees in winter and that's the best time to cut out infected wood. Once the tree has visible areas of cankers and wilting its probably to-late for an antibacterial spray to be effective. Spraying is more of a preventive strategy I think, or at the first sign of infection maybe.
Most of the effective spays can't be used in Calif. and the ones that are approved have to be applied by licensed applicators.
Here in the Inland Empire we see it in the pears, and loquats, a lot in pyracantha.
Your doing it right. cutting and pruning out infected branches and twigs. That at lest controls it and will prolong the trees life span. Tools should be bleached after each cut(spay disinfectant),and pruning done only while the trees dormant. Its spread through open wounds from above by dripping water or oozing sap..(among other things) Server pruning and heavy fertilization that causes lots of new growth should also be avoided.
You probably already know all that. If you look on-line theres different fire-blight products, but I wouldn't't put a lot of faith in them. Beastmaster

 

[dingeryote]

You're in for a fight.

http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/fblinks.htm
Lotsa links and good info,though it is geared towards conventional practices.

Prune heavy while dormant, and burn the prunings.
Volunteer to do the same with neighbors trees if you wish to save yours though.

Good luck!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[mikewhite85]

Thanks for the help!

Beast, I've got 9 decent sized pines to prune at a property in Beverly hills (right in 90210!) in January. Maybe we can team up again. I'll send you an email after I get the contract squared away.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Hi Mike, how are you doing? Fire-blight does go dormant along with the trees in winter and that's the best time to cut out infected wood. Once the tree has visible areas of cankers and wilting its probably to-late for an antibacterial spray to be effective. Spraying is more of a preventive strategy I think, or at the first sign of infection maybe.
Most of the effective spays can't be used in Calif. and the ones that are approved have to be applied by licensed applicators.
Here in the Inland Empire we see it in the pears, and loquats, a lot in pyracantha.
Your doing it right. cutting and pruning out infected branches and twigs. That at lest controls it and will prolong the trees life span. Tools should be bleached after each cut(spay disinfectant),and pruning done only while the trees dormant. Its spread through open wounds from above by dripping water or oozing sap..(among other things) Server pruning and heavy fertilization that causes lots of new growth should also be avoided.
You probably already know all that. If you look on-line theres different fire-blight products, but I wouldn't't put a lot of faith in them. Beastmaster

I agree.
Jeff