Fire blight

A serious bacterial disease of apple, pear and quince trees: shoots blacken as if burnt and bend like a crook.

⚠ Notifiable disease: report any suspected outbreak to the competent authority.

How to recognise

• Check whether affected shoots are bent like a crook and black, as if scorched.
• Look for milky droplets on the bark in mild, humid weather.

What to do

• Do not prune or move branches: contact the official plant health service first.
• Note and photograph the affected shoots for the report.

Prevent

• Watch closely during and just after flowering, especially in warm, humid weather.

Trees affected