Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001697
11/12/99
Crown Gall
Symptoms: Crown gall is a tumorous growth (Vis. 1) of tissue
up to several inches or more in diameter. It is generally
found at the soil line or on roots and usually has a rough
surface. Crown galls differ from natural burls. Burls are
hard and woody like the trunk wood, whereas the crown
galls are "punky," more like rotting wood.
Cause: Crown gall is a disease caused by a bacterium. The
crown gall bacterium lives in the soil and enters the
plant at the site of a wound, perhaps from a shovel or a
lawn mower. Once inside the plant, the bacteria
stimulates gall formation. Infected plants often grow
very slowly and continue to decline in vigor year after
year.
Control: Avoid wounding plants when transplanting,
cultivating or mowing. Dig up and destroy infected
plants, removing the surrounding soil carefully and
disposing of it away from cultivated plants. Replant with
resistant plants. All types of narrow-leaved evergreens
are immune to crown gall.
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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