How long does fire blight live in wood chips?

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kotarski Ann Arbor, MI Nov 20, 2011

My wife and I are remodeling our small ranch house in Ann Arbor, Michigan and want to plant fruit trees in the front yard. We had an apple tree cut down, chipped the wood and were saving the chips for mulch. We were told the apple tree had fire blight but if we let the chips winter over it will kill the fire blight and we can use it on other trees. Should we get rid of the chips or can we use them for our new fruit trees?

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Rhapsody616 Long Beach, CA Mar 04, 2012

kotarski,

I don't think I would take the chance! I would burn the wood and then mix the ashes into the soil. It sounds like it could kill your other trees!

Fire blight is one of the most destructive diseases of apple and pear trees. Outbreaks are sporadic in most parts of the Northeast, but can cause extensive tree damage when they do occur. Therefore, the necessary intensity of control programs will vary considerably for different plantings and in different years, depending on individual orchard factors and weather conditions.

Control

Fire blight is best controlled using an integrated approach that combines (a) horticultural practices designed to minimize tree susceptibility and disease spread; (b) efforts to reduce the amount of inoculum in the orchard; and (c) well-timed sprays of bactericides to protect against infection under specific sets of conditions.
http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsheets/treefruit/diseases/fb/fb.asp

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yardener Greenfield, OH(Zone 6a) Mar 05, 2012

I would compost your chips through the summer (composting slows down in the winter) and use them elsewhere. A note: you always want to make sure your wood is somewhat composted so it doesn't deplete nitrogen during decomposition around your plants.
Also, if you really want to use them on apple trees, find a variety that is resistant to blight.

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