Tree fruit can include apples, peaches, pears, and cherries.
Fruit Samples:
- Pick multiple symptomatic fruit that is not completely rotten.
- Wrap each fruit in newspaper or paper towels so that any excess moisture will be absorbed and will not contaminate the sample.
- Pack the wrapped fruit in a sturdy box. If shipping fruit along with a branch sample, box the fruit separately so that the fruit will not suffer additional bruising.
- Samples should be carefully packaged and shipped early in the week to avoid weekend layovers during which the sample will deteriorate.
- Include a completed General Form.
- Pictures of the problem in the field are always helpful.
Sampling Hints:
- Samples should be fresh.
- Samples should represent the early to middle stages of the development of the problem. A completely dead and decaying sample cannot be reliably diagnosed.
- Samples should be carefully packaged and shipped early in the week to avoid weekend layovers during which the sample will deteriorate.
- Be sure to include sample documentation and background information. The specimen form can be downloaded from: General Form
- Pictures of the problem in the field are always helpful.