Cotoneaster problems - Ask Extension
I am noticing branches of our Cotoneaster dying. I don't see any insects. The majority of the shrubs look beautifully healthy. It does appear to be ...
Knowledgebase
Cotoneaster problems #873992
Asked June 20, 2024, 6:12 PM EDT
I am noticing branches of our Cotoneaster dying. I don't see any insects. The majority of the shrubs look beautifully healthy. It does appear to be gradually moving out towards the end of the branches. see attached picture.
What should I do?
Berrien County Michigan
Expert Response
Good Afternoon,
It looks it could be fire blight. Fire blight is a bacterial disease which initially infects via flowers. Common symptoms include water-soaked spots on the bark, cankers at the base of affected twigs, and droplets of a dark bacterial ooze on the bark. Affected shoots often appear black and “scorched”, wilt, and develop a characteristic “shepherd’s crook” appearance as they die. The disease is easily transmitted by rain, wind, tools, and pollinating insects. Fire blight may also infect apple, pear, pyracantha, and crabapple. Bacterial blight caused by Pseudomonas may be mistaken for fire blight.
Cotoneaster: Fire blight | Hortsense | Washington State University (wsu.edu)
Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Cotoneaster—UC IPM (ucanr.edu)
You can also send in a sample for a small fee to get a firm diagnosis. Submit Samples - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)
Another option is to have an arborist come out and assess your plant. TreesAreGood.org
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
It looks it could be fire blight. Fire blight is a bacterial disease which initially infects via flowers. Common symptoms include water-soaked spots on the bark, cankers at the base of affected twigs, and droplets of a dark bacterial ooze on the bark. Affected shoots often appear black and “scorched”, wilt, and develop a characteristic “shepherd’s crook” appearance as they die. The disease is easily transmitted by rain, wind, tools, and pollinating insects. Fire blight may also infect apple, pear, pyracantha, and crabapple. Bacterial blight caused by Pseudomonas may be mistaken for fire blight.
Cotoneaster: Fire blight | Hortsense | Washington State University (wsu.edu)
Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Cotoneaster—UC IPM (ucanr.edu)
You can also send in a sample for a small fee to get a firm diagnosis. Submit Samples - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)
Another option is to have an arborist come out and assess your plant. TreesAreGood.org
I hope this helps. Thanks for using our service.
