DiseaseMedium Severity

Nectria Canker

Nectria cinnabarina, N. coccinea, N. galligena

A fungal canker disease affecting numerous hardwood species, characterized by distinctive target-type cankers with raised, calloused edges and salmon-red pustules. The disease is perennial and can eventually girdle branches or stems, particularly problematic on recent transplants.

Peak Season: Spore germination: Moist spring conditionsInfection: Through wounds and branch stubs year-roundSpore production: In perithecia during favorable moisture conditionsCanker development: Slow but progressive growthPeak vulnerability: During wounding events and stress periods
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Nectria canker showing characteristic target-pattern lesions and branch damage

Identification & Symptoms

What to Look For

Discoloration and sinking of bark around injuries or branch stubs
Depressed areas with raised, calloused edges forming target-type cankers
Round, salmon-red pustules (perithecia) scattered about cankers
Premature wilting of foliage in late spring or early summer
Infected wood showing green to black discoloration
Cream-colored pustules developing in second year (N. galligena)

Potential Damage

Progressive canker expansion that can girdle branches or stems
Branch mortality from girdling action
Reduced tree vigor from foliage loss
Structural weakness at canker sites
Significant problems on recent transplants
Economic losses in nursery and landscape plantings

Lifecycle

Spores invade wounds or branch stubs and germinate in moist spring conditions. The fungus becomes established at the periphery of dead and live wood, producing spores in flask-shaped perithecia and open sporodchia. Spores spread by air or splashing rain to re-infect new wounds.

Professional Treatment Approach

1

Fungisol applications for canker disease management

2

Minimize wounding from improper pruning, freeze injury, drought stress

3

Proper timing of pruning to reduce infection risk

4

Address predisposing stress factors

5

Remove severely cankered branches when feasible

Recommended Mauget Products

Fungisol

Professional-grade treatment specifically effective against nectria canker.

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