North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[<dmnorton@royaloakfarmorchard.com>]

Jim,

One of the best cultural practices to keep Black Knot form spreading is to 
prune out the infected branches just like you would with fire blight in 
apples.  All shoots and branches bearing knots should be pruned out during 
the winter when possible. This pruning should be completed before ascospore 
discharge begins in the spring, usually about the time that the buds first 
break. To be sure that even the unseen internal mycelium is removed, the cut 
should be made at least 6-8 in. below the knot. Winter is also a good time 
to look for and remove sources of inoculum in nearby wild Prunus species in 
hedges and woods. The knots are capable of producing ascospores for some 
time after removal from the tree, so they should be burned, buried, or 
removed from the site regardless of the time of year the pruning takes 
place.  Hope this helps!

Dennis Norton
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
Office (815) 648-4467
Mobile (815) 228-2174
Fax (609) 228-2174
http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
http://www.revivalhymn.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Fruth" <jimfruth@charter.net>
To: "NAFEX" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, May 08, 2009 8:28 AM
Subject: [NAFEX] Black Knot Question


>    I frequently don't see Black Knot on my trees until after the fungus 
> has dried.  Will cutting out the infected branches, at the dried stage, 
> stop it from spreading?
>
> Jim Fruth
> Brambleberry Farm
> Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
> For jams, jellies, syrups and more:
> www.jellygal.com
> 1-877-265-6856 (Toll Free)
> 1-218-831-7018 (My Cell)