A new phase of band canker related to botryosphaeria has increased concern in northern California almond orchards. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Dani Lightle says the new phase has cankers reaching higher into the tree and the wounds can cause significant damage.
New Canker Phase Can Be Damaging
Lightle says research hasn’t proven that trees can heal themselves from cankers and growers need to treat each spotted problem case by case. Unfortunately there is little management help at this point, and Lightle says limiting widespread watering can help reduce the spread of infection.