What is Fire Blight?

Quick Facts…

• Fire blight is a bacterial disease that can kill branches and whole plants of many members of the rose family, including apple, pear, quince and crabapple. .

• Symptoms include dead branches, water-soaked blossoms, light brown to blackened leaves, discolored bark, black “shepherd’s crook” twigs, and dried fruits. .

• Fire blight bacteria can be spread by insects, splashing rain or contaminated pruning tools..

• Management includes resistant varieties, cultural practices, pruning and preventive chemical sprays.

• Read more about Fire Blight here, and why it's important to prune these trees during the dormant winter season: http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fire-blight-2-907/