Almond growers in the northern part of the state are noticing some abnormal cankers up high in their trees and experts say it’s a new phase of band canker they are seeing.
Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Dani Lightle says she has received several calls from almond growers concerned about gumming on their trees.
Growers are familiar with botryosphaeria, and although the disease is not new, Lightle says they have seen a new phase with the associated band cankers that are reaching higher into trees. Lightle says they aren’t sure why this new stage is happening, and there could be several contributing factors.