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Galls are "tumor-like"
growths that plants create in response to damage by
certain other organisms including insects and bacteria.
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Crown gall is so
named because the galls form near ground level just
above the crown. This disease is caused by a
bacteria nemae Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Infected canes or branches will lose vigor and
eventually die.
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The bacteria that
causes lives in the soil and will probably infect
the next plant placed there as long as it is
susceptible. So, you guessed it, you can prevent
this disease by replacing (or originally planting)
disease resistant plants.
If you have a plant
that has crown galls, never cut on it with a saw or
pruning shears without sterilizing them before using
on another plant. That is a key way of moving the
bacteria around.
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There are few, if any,
antibiotics that can be used successfully on plants.
Also, by the time the gardener discovers the galls, it
is probably too late to do anything about it.
Unfortunately, about the only treatment is to dig out
the entire plant and be sure to plant a non-susceptible
species.
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Note: We
have provided some general information and
observations on this topic aimed at the home
gardener. Before you take
any serious action in your landscape, check
with your state's land grant university's
Cooperative
Extension
Service for the most current,
appropriate, localized recommendations. |
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Some trees and shrubs resistant to crown gall: |
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