Bacterial canker and coral spot
Disease Diseases of stone fruit and trees that cause oozing, die-back and dead branches.
What to look for
Sunken patches on bark that ooze amber gum, shot-hole leaves and dying branches on plums and cherries. Coral spot shows as small pink-orange pustules on dead wood.
When: Symptoms show from spring to summer, with infection in autumn and winter.
How to prevent it
- Prune stone fruit only in summer, when the sap is rising and wounds heal quickly.
- Clean pruning tools between plants.
- Keep trees healthy with feeding, mulching and watering.
How to deal with it
- Cut out affected branches back to healthy wood in summer, and burn or bin them.
- Remove dead wood bearing coral spot promptly so it cannot spread to living wood.
Crops it affects
If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.