How to Treat Canker in Plum Trees
Canker is a fungal or bacterial disease that attacks woody plants and can seriously harm plum trees. The appearance of canker disease during the autumn first appears as superficial indentations at branch bases which grow larger in spring until it completely encircles the branch and destroys it. It is best to treat canker in a plum tree as soon as you notice it to avoid losing the tree to this destructive disease. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sharp knife
- Bleach
- Water
- Matches
- Canker paint
- Shellac
- Paint brush
- Copper-based fungicide
- Fine-mist garden sprayer
Instructions
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Instructions
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Cut out any diseased areas of the tree back to the healthy wood using a sharp knife or cutting tool. Be sure to prune any affected shoots as soon as they appear to avoid contaminating other parts of the tree.
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Start with the least-affected areas and move onto severely damaged areas as you prune. Treat your knife with a mixture of one part bleach to nine parts water in between each cut.
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3
Burn the affected wood to properly dispose of it and avoid reinfection to your trees.
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4
Paint the open wounds that are larger than 1 to 2 inches with shellac. This will help disinfect the cut wood and keep it from becoming reinfected.
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5
Examine the tree to make sure stakes or ties are not butting up against the wood and rubbing it, as this can open wounds on the tree that bacteria can quickly invade. Support heavy branches that are in danger of breaking, in order to avoid opening additional wounds on the tree.
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Avoid regular pruning in the wintertime, if possible, or prune trees when they are dormant in January or February.
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Spray plum trees with a copper-based fungicide in a fine-spray garden sprayer beginning in August at weekly intervals. Spray a minimum of three times to be effective. Avoid spraying blossoms as this may damage the pollen.
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Tips & Warnings
Prune only in dry weather.
Cut away any grass, weeds or foliage near the base of the tree to help keep the wood dry and add air circulation.
Cankers can be more numerous on trees that have undergone freezing or drought injuries; environmental stress can make plum trees more susceptible to canker.
Avoid the use of sprinklers against the tree, as reinfection can occur at open wound sites.
