Look for. Cankers are deformed and diseased areas of tree bark. The directly infected area is usually sunken down, with the surrounding bark cracked and distorted. Initial signs of infection may include new shoots dying and wilting or discoloured leaves. Fruits can also be affected and may rot.

How do I know if I have an apple canker?

Cankers are round or oval areas of dead, sunken bark, often starting at a wound or a bud. You may see the following symptoms: On small branches and fruiting spurs: The infection may girdle the stem and kill it in a single season. The bark often flakes off infected smaller twigs.

What does fruit tree canker look like?

Bacterial canker is a disease that affects cherry, plum, and other related fruit trees. The symptoms can be wide ranging and include sunken patches on the trunk and branches. Those sunken patches often release a sticky, gummy substance. … Affected trees may also have brown spots on the leaves.