While there is no cure for fire blight, managing it over several years may restore the tree’s health. How To Manage Fire Blightįire blight disease management starts with identification, as looking for signs as early as possible can minimize damage. Young trees that grow quickly are more vulnerable to fire blight, while slower-growing mature trees are more resistant to damage.

The bacteria move in long, narrow paths outward from the dark cankers they form and into the healthy wood of the tree. The insects carry the bacteria from tree to tree, leading to its spread.Īlthough it often enters the tree through its flowers, fire blight also attacks the fruits, leaves, roots, and branches through minor injuries on their surfaces, such as those caused by insects or wind. In the spring, the bacteria ooze from twigs and fruits, which attracts insects. Wilted twigs that curve and curl downward.įire blight has a distinctive life cycle that begins when the bacteria overwinter in the cankers and branches of affected trees.The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension describes the signs of fire blight on an ornamental pear tree. Vascular wilt makes it easy to spot fire blight, as it leads to visible signs that are similar across all affected tree species. One study explains that this condition occurs when a pathogen enters the xylem vessels, or water pathways, of the plant and blocks the water and nutrients from passing through them. After infecting a tree, fire blight causes vascular wilt. Fire blight commonly affects pome fruit trees, such as apple and pear, as their open flowers provide access for the bacteria to enter the tree. It’s highly destructive and spreads quickly to surrounding trees, where it creates cankers, or areas of dead tissue. What Is Fire Blight?įire blight is an infectious tree disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. In this blog post, we’ll explain what fire blight is, share the signs and life cycle of the disease, and detail the fire blight management process. However, early identification and treatment can restore tree health and prevent fire blight from spreading further. Fire blight can cause severe and widespread damage to trees that can ultimately result in tree death.

Erwinia amylovora treatment