Marianne's Response

Black growth on branches may be canker

I have an ornamental flowering shrub that has a hard dark brown/blackish growth spreading across the branches. In some areas it is twice the size of the branches it is covering. I have seen this disease before but not around my area. I don’t know what it is called or how to get rid of it. Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you.
Vince

Posted by vince schulz on May 28, 2014

Marianne's Response

HI Vince, Could you send a photo of the growth? I am not sure what type of disease this is but if it is canker you will need to cut out the infected branches an inch after the tissue looks healthy. There are some trees and shrubs that will have bark that has dark spots as part of their natural covering. Is your shrub healthy or are the branches dying off? What type of shrub is it? If you have seen it before in your area perhaps your local nursery will be familiar with the growth. I will need a bit more information to help you with this one. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti