PlantFiles: Flowering Almond
Prunus triloba

I am a new gardener in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. I have had this plant for 3 years with heavy blooms each spring. After the blooms this year, I noticed the foliage seemed to be thinning so I took a closer look. I have not been able to identify what the problem is but I will try to describe. There are gooey dark brown and black gobs (they look like oysters) all over the branches, primarily in between branches. I pruned heavily but wonder what caused the problem and what I should do to prevent it.

We think this plant is most striking in the spring when blooming, it makes a tremendous show. However, in 2002 and now 2003 we are experiencing a problem, analyized and identified by nursery people as fire blight. We have been adivsed to spray with Ferbam by one nursery and another told us to get rid of it, because it can cause problems in lots of other plants. We would really hate to destroy this 10 year old standard.

I am growing this plant in Alabama (U.S.), in Zone 7a and have been for about 10 years. I received it as a pass-along plant from a lovely elderly friend. When it blooms, I remenber my friend who is now deceased.