Pacific Northwest 1998 An Online Guide to Plant Disease Control

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Apple -- Nectria Twig Blight (Coral Spot)
 
Cause: The fungus Nectria cinnabarina. It is considered a wound invader since it is frequently associated with pruning cuts. Naturally occurring scars may also be sites of entry for the spores.
Symptoms: Small, sunken cankers appear near wounds and develop slowly. After two or more seasons, small branches or twigs are girdled. Leaves beyond the canker generally wilt and die. Bright pink to coral-red fruiting bodies (sporodochia) break through the bark in the cankered area. Another fruiting body (perithecia) also will form in the same area. Both fruiting bodies are borne on a stroma.

Note the numerous small fruiting bodies of the fungus along this branch.

 
Cultural control:

  1. Pruning stubs should be relatively short.
  2. Remove and destroy all infected or dead wood.
Chemical control: Generally not needed and not recommended. Focus on cultural control tactics.
References:
Jones, A.L. and H.S. Aldwinkle. 1990. Compendium of Apple and Pear Diseases. 1990. St. Paul, MN: APS Press.
Content edited by: Jay W. Pscheidt on January 1, 2009
 
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