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Pyracantha problems

#1 · 27th October 2023, 5:54 pm

Hello,
We have a mature Pyracantha bush under our kitchen window which has for the past 15 years been fantastic, flowering in Spring with bright orange berries throughout Autumn. For the last few months though (and probably longer than that) it has gone downhill and has succumbed to blight, with dead branches and yellow leaves. I think it is more than 40 years old - it was here well before we moved here 15 years ago. The question is: should we dig it out and remove it or is there any chance it can be revived?
Hope someone can help with this - many thanks

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#2 · 30th October 2023, 7:54 am

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 30th October 2023, 7:54 am
Hi @junie
Thanks for posting your picture of your Pyracantha. It's a real shame, given its age, but it looks like it has Pyracantha fire blight. Hence, the dead leaves are still attached (bright orange) in the far right of the picture.
Pyracantha fire blight is a bacterial disease that affects Pyracantha, commonly known as firethorn. Fire blight is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. It primarily impacts plants in the Rosaceae family, which includes Pyracantha along with other plants like apples, pears, and other ornamental shrubs and trees. Unfortunately, it's not something that can be reversed, once it starts its usually a race against time to minimise it.
The disease is characterized by symptoms that resemble the plant being scorched by fire, hence the name "fire blight." It typically starts with wilting or browning of shoots, leaves, and flowers. Affected areas may display blackened or scorched appearance, with the leaves often remaining attached to the stems even after they have died. The bacteria often enter the plant through natural openings or wounds and can be spread by insects, rain, or wind.
Fire blight tends to be more prevalent in warm and humid conditions, especially during spring and summer. It can spread rapidly, leading to significant damage to the Pyracantha and, in severe cases, even result in the death of the plant if left untreated.
Management involves pruning out affected areas, disinfecting tools, and practising good garden hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Copper-based fungicides and maintaining the overall health of the plant through proper care can also help in managing and reducing the impact of fire blight.
If the infection is severe, it may require more aggressive measures, including the removal of the affected plant to prevent the disease from spreading to nearby plants.
I know this sounds brutal but if I were you, I'd closely monitor it, and if the scorched leaves continue, then it may be best to cut it right back and completely dig it out. Then burn the clippings or dispose of them at the local tip; never compost them. Thus preventing the spread to other plants.
Sorry I can't be more optimistic!
Lee

Hi @junie

Thanks for posting your picture of your Pyracantha. It's a real shame, given its age, but it looks like it has Pyracantha fire blight. Hence, the dead leaves are still attached (bright orange) in the far right of the picture.

Pyracantha fire blight is a bacterial disease that affects Pyracantha, commonly known as firethorn. Fire blight is caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora. It primarily impacts plants in the Rosaceae family, which includes Pyracantha along with other plants like apples, pears, and other ornamental shrubs and trees. Unfortunately, it's not something that can be reversed, once it starts its usually a race against time to minimise it.

The disease is characterized by symptoms that resemble the plant being scorched by fire, hence the name "fire blight." It typically starts with wilting or browning of shoots, leaves, and flowers. Affected areas may display blackened or scorched appearance, with the leaves often remaining attached to the stems even after they have died. The bacteria often enter the plant through natural openings or wounds and can be spread by insects, rain, or wind.

Fire blight tends to be more prevalent in warm and humid conditions, especially during spring and summer. It can spread rapidly, leading to significant damage to the Pyracantha and, in severe cases, even result in the death of the plant if left untreated.

Management involves pruning out affected areas, disinfecting tools, and practising good garden hygiene to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Copper-based fungicides and maintaining the overall health of the plant through proper care can also help in managing and reducing the impact of fire blight.

If the infection is severe, it may require more aggressive measures, including the removal of the affected plant to prevent the disease from spreading to nearby plants.

I know this sounds brutal but if I were you, I'd closely monitor it, and if the scorched leaves continue, then it may be best to cut it right back and completely dig it out. Then burn the clippings or dispose of them at the local tip; never compost them. Thus preventing the spread to other plants.

Sorry I can't be more optimistic!

Lee

#3 · 20th February 2024, 1:36 pm

Thank you very much for your advice. I drastically pruned it but it's not really looking good, so reluctantly have decided to remove it completely. We have another one on the opposite side, to the left of the door which I didn't upload, which is displaying the same symptoms, and that will be going too. I feel very sad about it as the berries were beautiful and framed the windows. I would like to replace them but am unsure if the soil will now be contaminated - we're going to cut the main trunk at the base as it's difficult to dig it out without removing some of the paving. Or I suppose we could remove some paving and get it dug out from the roots? Again, any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

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