Plant Diseases & Pests

Canker

Definition

A localized, sunken lesion or area of dead tissue on woody stems, branches, or trunks caused by fungal or bacterial pathogens. Cankers can girdle and kill branches; chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) wiped out billions of American chestnut trees in the 20th century.

More Plant Diseases & Pests Terms

Explore Plant Species

See how the concept of "Canker" applies across different plant species.