Almond tree diseases: these are the most common

The almond tree is one of the trees that is most seen in Spain, especially in the Mediterranean area. When it blooms, which it usually does in February, although there are some earlier ones that already have flowers in November-December, the show is beautiful, with some white flowers, some with a crimson touch, that herald the arrival of spring shortly. . However, even though it is a hardy tree, there are many diseases of the almond tree that can end your health and life.

If you have almond trees, or are going to plant some, you should take a look at the almond tree diseasesits symptoms, treatments and how to be vigilant so that pests and health problems do not affect your trees.

These are the most common almond diseases

Trees can suffer from many diseases, even the most resistant. In the case of the almond tree, we know that it is a tree that many choose for their gardens, or for cultivation, since in Spain it is very profitable. But what problems can you run into? We review them.

Screening, one of the most common almond diseases

Screening, also known to many as shotgun, is a disease caused by the fungus Stigmine carpohyla. This is quite “hard”, because it is able to resist the cold and, with the rise in temperature, and the presence of rains, it attacks the tree causing its wood, stems, shoots, leaves and fruits to be damaged. times to the point of ending him.

How do you notice it? If you see pink spots, leaves that dry and fall, holes in them … Other times what happens is that the leaves begin to turn yellow on the petiole and blade, as well as dark spots that look like holes.

How to remove it? To kill the fungus, it is best to cut the branches and parts of the tree that have it. It is necessary to place fungicides and cicatrizers in these cuts so that the tree does not become infected and nourish it with minerals and fertilizer to help fight the plague.

Anthracnose

This is one of the almond tree diseases that most affects these, and it does so due to several fungal species that become a danger. They attack especially in the rainy season and prey on the leaves and flowers of the trees.

How do you notice it? You will notice if you see dark, oval spots on the leaves.

How to remove it? The only way to eliminate it is with treatment. Fungicides can come in handy although it is also helping the tree with minerals to be strong and also fight it from the inside.

Almond borers

This name is much easier and better known than those of the plague, Scout of the almond and Scout of evil. It is a problem that only affects almond trees when they are already weak, either due to drought, because the soil is poor, because there has been too large a production …

How do you notice it? What you will see on the trunk, and on some branches of the almond tree, is that they appear like gummy balls of wax. Many think that nothing is wrong, but that it is the resin that escapes, but in reality it is a symptom of a serious problem if it is not remedied.

How to remove it? The only way to do this is by providing it with better conditions. For example, increasing irrigation, improving the soil, adding fertilizer, pruning it so that it does not have as much production, etc.

Bacterial stain

This is one of the diseases of the almond tree that affects them the most and that, if you live from the cultivation of almond trees, more damage can be done to you, because it goes directly to the fruits, which makes them lose value, or even that the harvest is spoil.

How do you notice it? Symptoms are always going to be on the leaves first. If you see that they are angular and translucent, that they appear oily and dark, and then turn black, or yellow and fall off, then there is a risk of this disease.

Then you will notice it in the fruits, which will have dark spots on the skin, sometimes with the appearance of a glob of wax.

How to remove it? To do this, you have to protect the tree before it blooms. Especially from inclement weather, such as rain, which is what affects these trees the most.

Red and yellow almond spider

Actually, among the diseases of the almond tree at the level of mites, we cannot say that only two are those that attack the almond tree. Actually, there are several, but the ones that affect you the most are these: Red spider (Panonychus ulmi Koch) and the yellow spider (Tetranychus urticae Koch).

How do you notice it? You will see that this problem appears when cobwebs begin to appear on the leaves, branches and fruits. In addition, there will be defoliation and the plant will weaken. Visually, you will see spots on the leaves that, when you remove them, you will notice that they move when you put them in another place.

How to remove it? To end these two undesirables, the best are fungicides, but we also recommend cutting the branches that are very affected, and giving the tree nutrients to fight them.

Dried almond tree

The dry of the almond tree, or FusicoccusIt is a quite serious problem caused by a fungus that penetrates the interior of the tree.

How do you notice it? You will be surprised if you see that the leaves begin to fall, although this is normal in some seasons of the year, so it is difficult to distinguish it with the naked eye. In fact, it is one of the diseases of the almond tree that you can least prevent.

How to remove it? In this case, the best way is to use healing agents when the leaves fall, as well as to apply fungicides that help prevent the disease. Another thing you can do is eliminate the infected parts and, if possible, disinfect all the tools you use so that they do not get infected there.

Ocher stain

This disease, caused by the bacteria Arboreal xanthomonasIt is one of the ones that can worry you the most, because it is very common and the worst of all is that it spreads very quickly. In order for it to appear, there must be the presence of water, which means that the rains, or stagnation or presence of water in the surroundings can cause this problem.

How do you notice it? You will notice that the leaves start to turn green, yellow and brown, sometimes with holes that will make you think they are rotten.

How to remove it? In order to save the almond tree it is necessary that you put it in quarantine, and especially that it is not in contact with other trees. There are phytosanitary products that help to eliminate the ocher stain. If it is caught in time, nothing will happen, although afterwards you must strengthen the tree with nutrients.

As you can see, there are many almond tree diseases that can affect it (and many more that we have not mentioned). If you are going to plant or have almond trees, if you notice something strange, check to see if it could be a serious problem.