Destroy Escaped Seedlings

Jay W. Pscheidt 

Most escaped seedlings are susceptible to EFB. Squirrels and bluejays move viable nuts various distances from orchards. These nuts germinate and produce trees that can be infected by the EFB fungus. Many are susceptible since they are likely to have susceptible parents. 

Escaped seedlings can be seen along roads and fences near orchards. They are often neglected and unmanaged. Removal of these seedlings can greatly reduce the amount of susceptible tissue that might harbor EFB. 

Native hazelnuts (Corylus cornuta var. californica) do not get EFB and do not need to be removed. 
 

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These wild seedlings along the road were infected with EFB and should be removed.
Photo by Jay Pscheidt, 2022.