Diseased Serviceberry?

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Peckhaus Long Island, NY(Zone 7a) Jul 13, 2008

This past April we bought a Shadbush (Amelanchier) from a local nursery and planted it in a newly cleared out woodland area. It bloomed beautifully.

However, in June we noticed a fuzzy, thickening of the stem tips and a red-orange powdery substance on the thickened parts. The leaves around these areas have dried and browned.

Our local nursery thought it is maybe gall or fireblight, both perhaps caused by bacteria in the soil.

Does anyone have any ideas how we can treat our bush?

Thanks.

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jul 13, 2008

Looks like a rust disease, likely in the genus Gymnosporangium. Alternate hosts usually junipers.

Resin

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HoosierGreen Danville, IN Jul 13, 2008

Most likely rust, which is the most common disease to hit serviceberry. Which variety did you buy? Some are more resistant than others, especially the newer ones.

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Peckhaus Long Island, NY(Zone 7a) Jul 15, 2008

Thank you both. We stopped by the nursery today but they didn't know which variety Serviceberry they had sold us. Their unsold bushes have the same symptoms. Too bad because they all looked great in the spring when we bought ours!

We were thinking about cutting off the affected parts of the bush and adding lots of compost around the base. What do you think?

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) Jul 15, 2008

Yep, good idea. Cut well below the visible symptoms (at least 5-10cm below), and disinfect the pruners after each cut ('lysol' or similar; not bleach which will damage the pruners). Burn the clippings.

Resin

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Peckhaus Long Island, NY(Zone 7a) Jul 15, 2008

Thanks, Resin, for the tip about the Lysol and burning the clippings. Will do.

Any other thoughts on what we could do to help the bush survive?

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