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Crown rot continues to be a major cause of tree death in Pennsylvania orchards.
The disease is often observed in low-lying areas of orchards with heavy, poorly drained soils. The first symptoms to appear in the spring are delayed bud break, leaf discoloration, and twig dieback. These symptoms indicate that crown infection is advanced. While infected trees may survive the growing season, they show symptoms of leaf and bark discoloration and premature leaf drop in the fall. The most obvious symptom found on affected trees is a partial or complete girdling of the trunk.