The Gardener's Almanac

Coral Spot

Coral spot is a fungal infection that affects a wide range of trees and shrubs.

The fungus enters the plant via a wound, then grows in the wood and kills the branch

The disease can spread from infected branches, so prune out affected branches as soon as possible, and prune well back into healthy wood.

If the branch is left on the tree / shrub, small, pink, pustules of the fungus will burst out of the dead bark a few months after death.

To avoid more spores being produced do not leave dead wood lying around.

Do not leave branch 'snags' when pruning.

As a further preventative measure paint pruned ends with a wound paint.