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Fruit Tree Pests & Diseases
Growing fruit is an enjoyable and rewarding past time, however even the most avid and vigilant of gardeners may occasionally encounter a problem. To help you tackle any challenges posed by mother nature we have put together a range of fact sheets that will assist you in the fruit garden with pest and disease management.
The following tables have been designed to aid diagnosis and treatment of common fruiting problems. We hope to update it as more information becomes available.
Click here for information on soft fruit pests and diseases.
Apple and Pear Pest, Diseases and Disorders
| Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
|
Leaf distortion/ Marking on leaves |
Aphids Apple Mildew Pear Leaf Blister Mite Pear Leaf Midge Spider Mite Apple Leaf Miner European Pear Rust Scale Insect Tortrix Moth |
Blossom Damage |
Apple Blossom Weevil Apple Mildew |
|
Leaves/shoots dying off |
Apple/Pear Canker Apple Mildew Fireblight Frost damage |
Maggots in fruit |
Apple Sawfly Codling Moth Pear Midge |
| Holes in leaves |
Green Capsid Bug Winter Moth |
Marked/ distored fruit |
Aphids Apple Sawfly Apple/Pear Scab Bitter Pit Brown Rot Green Capsid Bug Winter Moth |
|
Disfigured/ cracking bark |
Apple/pear Canker Fireblight Woolly Aphid Scale Insect |
Fruit Drop |
Apple Sawfly |
| Fruiting disorders | Biennial cropping |
Apricot Pests, Diseases & Disorders
| Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
|
Leaf distortion/ marking on leaves |
Discoloured/ cracking bark |
Bacterial Canker | |
|
Leaves/shoots/ branches dying off |
Marked/distorted fruit |
Aphids Brown Rot |
|
| Holes in leaves | Bacterial Canker | Fruit drop |
Frost damage Incomplete pollination |
Cherry Pests, Diseases & Disorders
| Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
|
Leaf distortion/marking on leaves |
Aphids |
Discoloured/ cracking bark |
Bacterial Canker |
| Leaves/shoots dying off | Marked/distorted fruit |
Aphids Brown Rot Green Capsid Bug Winter Moth |
|
| Holes in leaves |
Bacterial Canker Green Capsid Bug Winter Moth |
Fruit Drop |
Frost Damage Cherry Run-off Incomplete Pollination Winter Moth |
Cobnuts & Filberts Pests Diseases & Disorders
Squirrels are the most serious pest since they can quickly devour a whole crop. Netting is usually ineffective as they can chew through it. Galvanised wire netting is effective but can lead to problems of zinc toxicity. The fruits can be attacked by Nut Gall Mites, Nut Weevils and Winter Moth larvae. The trees are generally free from disease.
Figs Pest, Diseases & Disorders
Squirrels and birds are the most serious pests. The trees are generally free from disease but occasionally suffer from Coral Spot (dead twigs become covered in pink pustules). Disease twigs should be cut back to a healthy bud and the prunings should be burned.
Peach, Nectarine & Almond Pests, Diseases & Disorders
| Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
|
Leaf distortion/marking on leaves |
Aphids |
Maggots in fruit | |
| Leaves/shoots dying off | Marked/distorted fruit |
Aphids Brown Rot |
|
| Holes in leaves | Fruit Drop |
Frost Damage Incomplete Pollination Plum Fruit Moth |
|
|
Discoloured/ cracking bark |
Bacterial Canker |
Plum, Gages, Damson & Cherry Plum Pests, Diseases & Disorders
| Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
|
Leaf distortion/ |
Aphids |
Blossom damage | |
| Leaves/shoots dying off |
Bacterial Canker Frost damage Silver Leaf |
Maggots in Fruit |
Plum Fruit Moth Plum Sawfly - (See Apple Sawfly) |
| Holes in leaves |
Bacterial Canker Green Capsid Bug Winter Moth |
Marked/distorted fruit |
Aphids Brown Rot Green Capsid Bug Winter Moth Pocket Plum |
| Disfigured/cracking bark | Bacterial Canker | Fruit Drop |
Codling Moth Frost damage Incomplete pollination Plum Fruit Moth Winter Moth |
Quince & Medlar Pests, Diseases & Disorders
| Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
|
Leaf distortion/ |
Blossom damage | ||
| Leaves/shoots dying off | Maggots in Fruit |
Apple Sawfly Codling Moth |
|
| Holes in leaves |
Green Capsid Bug |
Marked/distorted fruit |
Aphids Apple Sawfly Brown Rot Green Capsid Bug |
|
Disfigured/ cracking bark |
Apple Canker |
Fruit Drop |
Apple Sawfly Codling Moth Frost Damage Incomplete Pollination |
Sweet Chestnuts & Walnut Pest, Diseases & Disorders
The sweet chestnut is relatively free from pests and diseases. Most pests of walnuts, including the Walnut Leaf Gall Mite, are not too serious and can cause mostly cosmetic damage. Walnuts are susceptible to some diseases including Walnut Blight, Walnut Leaf Blotch, Honey Fungus and Grey Mould.
Click here for information on soft fruit pests and diseases.
USING CHEMICALS SAFELY – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
When using chemicals it is most important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Only use on the fruits that are listed on the manufacturer’s label. An accurate weighing machine and measuring cylinder should be obtained. Chemicals can be wasted by making concentrations unnecessarily strong or by making them too weak and ineffective. Furthermore, if chemicals are too strong they may cause damage to the foliage.
Only spray in the early morning or evening when the weather is dry and calm. Avoid spraying when fruit canes and bushes are in flower, to reduce the risk of killing helpful pollinating insects such as bees.
