cutting down a plum tree with black knot fungus

mary3267

I have a plum tree with what I believe is black knot fungus and it's absolutely loaded with these "knots". So I'm thinking cutting it down is probably the best thing to do, the plums which are tiny and green right now, are falling off the tree and some are rotting and moldy. Can it be saved? Or is it mostly like not worth the time and cost to spray it, and just cut it down? Then the problem is how to cut it down? I'm worried about the fungus spores going airborne, Should I hire someone to spray the tree then cut it down, haul it away and burn it? Believe me when I say the tree is loaded with knots, there isn't a branch that is clean.

TreeSpecialist

Just cut it down and dispose of it.

The ascospores of the fungus are wind borne. Getting rid of it right away is the best thing to do.

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Brent Ferris

Hello Mary

By all means cut it down, on a tarp if possible to be able to collect all the debris and send it to landfill to be buried -- so in the garbage, not the recycling pickup. Diseased wood tends to be very brittle. Burning the wood allows the spores to be spread in the smoke. If you are going to cut it yourself, when you are done, clean all tools with 50% bleach and water to kill the spores, and then re-oil the tools to stop oxidation from the bleach. It is best to also remove the stump. Leave the stem 5-6 feet high so when the stump is being dug out there is a lever to help with the removal. Grinding of the stump is not recommended -- too hard to collect all the chips of the infected wood.
Many people will keep a tree with Black Knot, partly for not knowing what it is, or how to try to combat it, and partly because in the early stages, the tree still fruits and the fruit is edible. Sometimes there is more fruit, because the tree is diseased.

Black knot attacks plum, cherry, apricot, (stone fruit trees) and buckthorn (Rhamnus sp). There is no real cure, just really good sanitation. The disease is quite rampant and a real curse for people wanting to grow these kinds of fruit trees.

If interested, I can quote on the job for you. I will be in the east end of Toronto Tues and Thurs PM, and Oshawa is not too far after 0700 PM (traffic wise)

mary3267

I would have to talk to hubby. Do you have a ballpark number of what it would cost? It would help to know if we're talking about $300 or $1000. If you're in the area, come by for a quote. My address is 87 Kawartha Avenue, Oshawa. Easiest way to get here is take Ritson Road south all the way to the end, it ends at my street, then turn left and I'm the fifth dwelling on the right. The tree is in the back yard. If my silver van is in the driveway, then I'm home, unless I'm at the park with the kids. The tree is in the back yard at the lower level. My phone number is 905-432-3958. If you're in the area and I'm not home just come in the back yard and look at the tree, and leave the info in the mailbox.

Thanks,

Mary Gentile

Brent Ferris

What is the diameter of the trunk (distance across)? This gives me an idea of size of tree and cost. And will you want the stump out?

Brent