United Kingdom

two of four Pyracantha bushes that I planted two years ago developed curling brown ( turning black ) leaves in early spring this year. As new growth was well under way I hoped that this was just the result of late frosts we had had a little earlier. I am now convinced that these two shrubs (both Mohave strain oddly enough ) have developed Fireblight and I have removed them from the ground and burnt them . I have collected as many of the dead leaves as possible and burnt them as well.
The other two bushes ( both saphyr Cadanga) are beautifully healthy and very well berried.

Is there any treatment that I should carry out to the ground where the infected plants were growing ( I appreciate that there is no chemical cure for the disease itself ) prior to replanting: and would it be safe to re-plant with two more Pyracantha Mohave or would this be courting disaster.

Your comments and advice would be much appreciated

• 29 Jun, 2008