This summer I moved into a new house near Burnaby Heights. I inherited 3 fruit trees and have been waiting for the leaves to come off to get a good look at the branch structure for pruning or possible removal. They're currently under CoV's restrictions for removal, so that is still an option I discovered this black growth on the branches of what I believe is a plum tree. (See pictures) What is it? Is the tree worth saving? It produced no fruit this year but the leaves looked healthy. Thanks
Looks like the fungal disease, black knot: Your plum trees versus black knot Extension Service | An Introduction to Black Knot Black Knot, Apiosporina morbosa – Master Gardener Program
Yes, it's Black Knot. I live in Burnaby Heights and see this disease quite often in my plum tree. It is easy to control by vigilantly cutting off all of the black growth, along with a few inches of connected healthy growth. I've even succeeded in eliminating a patch of Black Knot on the main trunk of the tree by just carving away the infected portion of the trunk.
