New fungus disease of prunes and apricots in California attributed to bruise injuries to bark from some shakers or other machinery Bark bruises on prune and apricot frees—resulting from mechanical harvesting injuries, particularly with certain types of limb or trunk shakers—are allowing the infection and spread of the serious canker disease caused by the fungus, Ceratocystis fimbriata. This injured branch of French prune had begun to heal until infected by the fungus which has now spread into healthy tissues above and below wound (arrows). Such branches are usually girdled and killed in two to three years.

Farm Advisors Art Retan and Clem Meith of Butte County, Roy Jeter of Glenn County, Don Rough of San Joaquin County, Dave Chaney of Sutter County, Bill Stice of Colusa County, Dave Holmberg of Yolo County and Ronald Tyler of San Benito County cooperated.