Fire Blight Sampling
June 8, 2016
It is only possible to isolate the bacteria (Erwinia amylovora) from fresh, active lesions, where healthy tissue meets the diseased tissue - the lesion margin.
It is impossible to isolate fire blight bacteria from dead, dried out tissue.
The Lesion Margin
Collect samples that include about 3 inches of healthy tissue beyond the infected tissue, and include about 3 inches of infected tissue. Do not submit all the dead branch of the strike, this is often too long and can be cut back, as described, to 3 inches of infected tissue above 3 inches of healthy tissue.
If possible, refrigerate infected trees and strikes.
Protect samples from drying out prior to submitting them.
Do not collect entire branches or trees unless symptoms are unusual.
Please see the attached form for more information.
Fire Blight Sample Form (pdf; 226KB)
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Introduction to Small Fruit Workshop
September 21, 2026
Millbrook, NY
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County for a presentation on small fruit establishment, production, and management with ENYCHP's Berry Specialist Heather Kase!