Fire blight on hawthorn

[Paulneill]

Hi all,

I recently posted a topic ( hawthorn struggling )

There have been some developments since then. I noticed when the trees leaves wilt and die the problem appears to come from the stem. The stem changes from a green to an off brown colour and is patchy before wilting and turning black. Some of the stems can stay alive for months like this. Areas of bark are also changing colour and I assume is dying. Apart from all this there is some healthy foliage at the top of the tree. And it's still pushing growth slowly . After some searching I think it is fire blight / stem blight.

I sprayed the tree with a copper fungicide and gave it some super thrive today after removing all infected dead twigs and leaves.

I would really appreciate any advice on how to Treat this or any similar story's

[Paulneill]

IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/03/yza9u3es.jpg[/IMG]

Close up of infected branch and trunk.

[Paulneill]

[Boics]

Paul search the forum s.
You will come across a thread that I posted a while ago with a Melaleuca of mine.
If I'm not mistaken you will find a link to a dpi or government site where you can email your photos to a professional to evaluate.

Fwiw I don't think it's blight because I didn't think it affected this species?

It looks like I was able to get on top of my issue via cutting off the major affected areas and using an anti rust product.

[Paulneill]

Thanks boics.

Oh it's fire Blight alright I have been reading about it all night. The dead give away is the shepherds hook at its referred to when the dead black branch forms a curve ( see picture). It is not fungal but a bacterial disease. Some sites say it cannot be cured but I'm not sure if that is just large trees in the garden they are talking about . I'm kicking myself for not spotting it sooner. Lack of experience I guess. My other hawthorn has it as well but with much less symptoms.

[Paulneill]

This is just how a few of the low branches on the hawthorn looked mid spring and I thought it was the catapillers that caused it . English Hawthorn are very susceptible apparently.

[shibui]

Get a proper diagnosis from your closest ag dept as soon as possible.
To my knowledge we do not currently have fireblight in Australia but if it has crept in they may still be able to erradicate the infestation if it is still small. This is VERY IMPORTANT.

If this disease does get established it could well decimate pear and apple growing in the entire country so please get it checked.

[Paulneill]

Ok . Any ideas how to go about doing this ? Anyone
I'm a bit worried now after reading how bad this disease is I hope I'm mistaken.
I will look into it .

[Boics]

Bah.

I was confused with Myrtle rust sorry.
Just found the thread.

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=4979&hilit=+rust

Once again I think the links in there will help.
You should be able to send info / pics via email to an expert to identify.

Good luck and keep us posted.