Risks of keeping a service berry with rusts/blight - Ask Extension
I have an 8 foot Service berry that is finally bearing some fruit, but for the past few years has been susceptible to an orange rust or blight on the ...
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Risks of keeping a service berry with rusts/blight #873492
Asked June 17, 2024, 4:32 PM EDT
I have an 8 foot Service berry that is finally bearing some fruit, but for the past few years has been susceptible to an orange rust or blight on the berries leaves and somewhat on twigs. I am wondering if this will endanger the other nearby fruits in my garden, including blueberries, apples, pears, figs, raspberries, aronia berry and grape. I've waited a long time for this tree to grow, but don't want to risk a spread of this orange gunk! Thanks.
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
You might see some rust on the pears depending on the cultivar you have. We do call it pacific Coast Pear rust but it is nasty on Amelanchier as you have noted. This rust cycles on conifers so that might be the place to look for management. The other crops you mention are not going to have this rust although there are other rusts that can infect them.
Here is the serviceberry rust article: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/serviceberry-amelanchier-spp-rust
and the one for pear:https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/pear-pyrus-spp-pacific-coast-pear-rust
and the alternate host: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/cedar-incense-broom-rust
Here is the serviceberry rust article: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/serviceberry-amelanchier-spp-rust
and the one for pear:https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/pear-pyrus-spp-pacific-coast-pear-rust
and the alternate host: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/cedar-incense-broom-rust
