WSU targets x-disease, Little cherry disease tree removal

Washington State University Extension, in partnership with county Conservation Districts and pest boards, is offering cost share funds to remove and test trees infected with X-disease and little cherry disease.

Funding is available through a grant from the Washington State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grants. Eligible cherry, peach, nectarine, plum and other stone fruit orchards must have suffered a tree loss due to confirmed X-disease phytoplasma or Little cherry virus. The affected orchard must be within 10 miles of other orchards owned by another legal entity. Greater than 20 trees must have been removed with costs incurred after Sept. 30, 2021.

Reimbursement levels are up to 50% cost share for up to ten acres (for a total of up to $7,500 per applicant). Required documentation includes documentation of presence of confirmed infection by X-disease phytoplasma, Little cherry virus 2, or Little cherry virus 1 via lab results (positive test results from one or more trees from labs participating in the WSU proficiency testing program http://treefruit.wsu.edu/labs-lchv2-xdp/ or from Washington State University).

Results must be from the year of tree removal. For applications and more information see http://treefruit.wsu.edu/cost-share-for-little-cherry-and-x-disease-tree-removal/

For additional questions, contact Tianna DuPont, WSU Extension (509) 713-5346 or tianna.dupont@wsu.edu