Including a fruit tree or two in your garden design can add a great deal of interest and beauty. Even in the smallest garden it is possible to buy small fruit trees or fruit trees that have been cleverly grafted together onto rootstock that ensures that it remains a manageable size. Some can even be grown in containers, which can be extremely useful, for gardens in areas wish have a cooler climate, as it means that a tree can be moved into a greenhouse during the winter months. If you choose to grow a type of fruit tree that bears pitted fruit (cherry, plums and the likes) you will need to learn a little about how to avoid disease as these trees can prove a little more susceptible than other types.

Brown Rot is rather a common disease seen on fruit, especially fruit which has fallen from the tree and been left on the ground. This fruit tree disease can be rather difficult to eradicate as it is a fungus and as such produces a very large amount of spores. These spores are incredibly small and can travel a surprising distance and once it appears on fallen fruit it can quickly spread to the main plant and will, eventually, appear on the fruit still on the tree.

Fungus grows best in damp areas that do not have good air flow. The spores of fungus land on the area and quickly establish themselves and start producing more spores in a very short space of time. One of the best ways to protect your fruit tree from fungal infection is to prune it carefully.

Fruit trees should be pruned to create an open structure so that the fresh air can flow freely throughout the leaves and branches. Not only does such pruning help reduce the risk of fungal infection it can also ensure that the sunlight reaches all parts of the tree. By ensuring that all leaves get the maximum amount of sunshine helps to make the tree stronger and more able to withstand and fight off infection and disease.

As well as pruning to improve air flow it is important to prune any areas that show symptoms of fungal infection. Place any clippings in the bin or burn them immediately. Do not allow any infected material anywhere near your fruit tree and pick up any fallen fruit regularly so that it does not stand a chance of becoming infected.

Of course there are many other fungal diseases which may infect your fruit tree, one of which is known as cytospora canker. Although fungal it’s appearance is greatly different to Brown Rot and appears on the branches rather than upon the fruit. Dark, soft, areas appear on the branch and a callous forms which oozes gum. The most common place for it to appear is in a wound that is not fresh.

Again, to avoid this fungal infection/disease it is necessary to prune your fruit tree correctly. Great care should be taken to ensure a clean cut that will heal quickly and stand little chance of becoming infected with cytospora canker or any other fungus.

The two fungal diseases mentioned above, Brown Rot and cytospora canker, are but two of a number of different diseases which can infect a fruit tree. Fungal infections can be very problematic and even professional landscape gardeners can find themselves in some difficulty when trying to combat such a disease. Of course providing the correct amounts of water, sunlight and nutrients can greatly help a tree to grow healthy and strong. However, if you want to ensure a good annual crop from fruit trees you should really invest some time into finding out more about tree care and disease.