Neighbourhood Tree Care and Black Knot
This is timely information as late fall and winter is the best time to remove infected branches! Many thanks to one of our residents for preparing this post to support the beauty and health of the trees in our community!
There is an outbreak of Black Knot on our trees in Blackburne Creek.
What is Black Knot?
Black Knot is caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa. The infection is spread rapidly within the tree and to adjacent trees by the release of fungal spores.
It affects numerous trees such as Mayday, cherry trees, Nanking cherry, and many others.
Black knot usually appears as, tar-like swellings that develop on branches of the infected tree.
It is spread in the spring and summer and is dormant in the winter.
If left untreated, the infected tree will eventually die.
Treatment involves cutting out the affected area. See City of Edmonton website for more information.