Nectria: The Bright Red Fungus You Need to Know About
If you’ve ever noticed small, bright red or orange bumps on the bark of your trees or shrubs, you might have encountered Nectria. But before you start planning where to plant this colorful organism in your garden, here’s something important to know: Nectria isn’t a plant at all—it’s actually a genus of fungi that you probably don’t want hanging around your landscape.
What Exactly is Nectria?
Nectria is a genus of fungi native to North America, though various species can be found worldwide. These aren’t the friendly, beneficial fungi that help your garden thrive. Instead, Nectria species are plant pathogens—meaning they cause diseases in trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. Think of them as the uninvited guests at your garden party who end up causing trouble.
The most distinctive feature of Nectria fungi are their tiny, bright red to orange fruiting bodies called perithecia. These look like small bumps or pustules on the bark of infected plants, almost like nature’s version of tiny warning lights saying problem here!
Identifying Nectria in Your Garden
Spotting Nectria is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to look for:
- Small, bright red or orange bumps on tree bark or branches
- These bumps are usually less than 1mm in diameter
- Often found on dead or dying branches
- May appear in clusters or scattered across the bark surface
- Most visible during moist conditions when the fungi are actively producing spores
Is Nectria Beneficial to Your Garden?
Here’s where we need to be honest: Nectria fungi are generally not beneficial to your garden plants. As plant pathogens, they cause various problems including:
- Cankers (sunken, diseased areas on bark)
- Branch dieback
- Reduced plant vigor
- In severe cases, plant death
However, like many fungi, Nectria species do play a role in the broader ecosystem by helping decompose dead plant material. They’re part of nature’s recycling crew, breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil.
What to Do if You Find Nectria
If you spot those telltale red bumps in your garden, don’t panic, but do take action:
- Remove and destroy infected branches (don’t compost them)
- Sterilize pruning tools between cuts with rubbing alcohol
- Improve air circulation around affected plants
- Avoid overhead watering when possible
- Keep plants healthy with proper fertilization and watering
The Bottom Line
While Nectria fungi are a natural part of North American ecosystems, they’re not something you want to encourage in your garden. These bright red fungi serve as important reminders to keep our plants healthy and to practice good garden hygiene. By understanding what Nectria looks like and how it spreads, you can better protect your landscape from these tiny but troublesome organisms.
Remember, a healthy garden is the best defense against plant pathogens like Nectria. Strong, well-cared-for plants are much more resistant to fungal infections than stressed or weakened ones.
