Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

After all the leaves on our Japanese cherry tree fell off I noticed a bad development: Black Knot fungus’ hard black tumor-like “galls” had returned – like last year when our beautiful tree had been extensively trimmed to rid us of Black Knot. I immediately called our favorite tree guy, Joel Lambert, to get him to take a look and do whatever it takes to remove the ugly growths.

So, readers, if you have cherry or plum trees, check out the branches, because Black Knot can kill them.

Black Knot is a fungal disease, caused by Apiosporina morbosa, that creates hard, black, pods on the branches of Prunus species like plums and cherries. It spreads via spores released in spring, infecting new growth, and can stunt or kill trees if not managed through dormant season pruning (cutting 4-8 inches below the knot), tool sterilization, and sometimes fungicides.

Symptoms:

• Initial: Swollen areas on branches with an olive-green, velvety covering in the first year after infection.
• Mature: Hard, black, woody, and warty knots that can completely girdle and kill branches.

Life Cycle:

• The fungus overwinters in the galls.
• Spores are released during wet spring weather and carried by wind to infect young shoots or wounds.
• Galls grow for months before becoming visible, turning black and hard in the second year.

Management and control:

• Pruning: Most effective. Prune during the dormant season (late winter/early spring) before buds open, cutting 4-8 inches below the gall.
• Burn, bury, or remove pruned branches to eliminate spores.
• Fungicides: Can be used in spring during bud break, but must be applied correctly and may need repeating.

What to Avoid

• Do not leave infected branches on the tree, as they will continue to spread spores.
• Don’t prune during wet periods when spores are active.

Another “government” scam

Scammers have been making calls pretending to be Federal Trade Commission  employees like “agent” Chief Privacy Officer John Krebs, even though the FTC doesn’t have “agents.” The caller says that you’re under investigation for money laundering. To “resolve the matter,” the caller tells you to deposit money at a Bitcoin cryptocurrency ATM, which you can find at some pharmacies and convenience stores. That way your money will vanish, and there’s no way to get it back.

NOTE: Even if the caller uses the name of a real FTC employee, nobody from the FTC will ever tell you to deposit money at a cryptocurrency ATM, buy gift cards and share the numbers, send money over a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.

And don’t trust your caller ID. A call might look like it’s coming from the government or a business, but scammers often fake caller ID.

Easy oven pan gripper

With the Hot Plate Gripper, $6.99 on Amazon, two of which I bought and use, you can easily take out hot bowls, plates and other containers from various cooking appliances such as steamers, microwaves, ovens, air fryers, and boiling pots.

Made of stainless steel, the Hot Plate Gripper steadily clamps and carries most conventional bowls and plates. The handle is made of wheat straw material, which fits the palm, and the silicone pad at the clamping head has a good anti-slip effect and is not easy to slip when clamping.

Finally, to all my Christian readers: Merry Christmas, and don’t food-binge!

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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