Hi there, I am posting as a last resort really. I have an ancient Loquat tree in Strathcona, but it is suffering from what I believe is fireblight. Anywhere that I have previously pruned, it is especially bad with the bark peeling off. I have noticed that it has begun to die from the top down. I would like to prune that bit off, but am afraid of spreading more disease. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose my tree.
Fire Blight is a feature of areas with May weather including multiple days above 70 degrees F. Probably very little of it in Vancouver most years. Perhaps your tree has a Pseudomonas problem. All I have noticed on loquat trees down here is freezing of the flowers some years, and freezing back of the whole top during colder winters. In 1990 damage to these was so heavy I thought most might die, yet there seemed to be a high percentage of eventual recovery of long-established specimens. After that winter loquat trees looked as though blasted by flame throwers.
thanks for your reply. I will look into this suggestion. might also email Brian Minter.....am starting to feel desperate. thanks.
