Knowledgebase

Filbert Blight? #870193

Asked May 26, 2024, 6:14 PM EDT

My Red Empress Contorted Filbert is looking unwell and I noticed small bumps under the bark on many of the branches. I googled it and it looks like Eastern Filbert Blight. Can this spead to other trees in my yard or just other filberts? Do I need to destroy the tree?

Howard County Maryland

Expert Response

Without a photo it's hard to be more certain, but what you describe (and the fairly characteristic traits of Filbert Blight when the stem cankers appear) does sound like the correct diagnosis. Fortunately, the pathogen only infects filberts/hazelnuts (genus Corylus). If Filbert Blight is confirmed, it's an incurable disease, so an infected plant would need to be removed and discarded (not composted).

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 28, 2024, 3:11 PM EDT
Thank you so much for giving me the good/bad news that we will lose the tree but others will not be infected. Dang finicky filbert! Jana

Sent from my iPad

On May 28, 2024, at 3:11 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 28, 2024, 5:09 PM EDT
You're welcome.
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 29, 2024, 10:12 AM EDT

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