What does citrus canker look like?
Symptoms on leaves and fruit are brown, raised lesions surrounded by an oily, water-soaked margin and a yellow ring or halo. Old lesions in leaves may fall out, creating a shot-hole effect.
Is the disease harmful to me?
No, citrus canker does not harm humans or animals or plant life other than citrus.
Does canker affect only orange trees?
Citrus canker affects all types of citrus, including oranges, sour oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons and limes. Canker causes the citrus tree to continually decline in health and fruit production. Ultimately, the tree will produce no fruit at all.
Why does my tree have to be cut down?
Citrus canker is one of the most destructive bacterial diseases impacting citrus. There is no known chemical compound that will destroy the bacteria within the plant tissue. In order to eradicate the disease, infected and exposed trees must be cut down and disposed of.
Are the inspectors spreading the disease?
No, they follow a required procedure of disinfecting themselves and their tools. The disinfection is done when moving from tree to tree as well as when they leave a property.
Why do citrus trees within 1,900 feet of a citrus canker infested tree have to be destroyed?
The 1,900 feet distance was determined from a specific research study conducted by experienced plant pathologists under the weather conditions in South Florida. Over 15,000 trees were identified and monitored for evidence of citrus canker disease. From this research, they determined that approximately 95% of the exposed trees that became diseased were up to 1,900 feet away from a single disease-positive tree. It was further found that the previously used distance of 125 feet for exposed trees captured only 20% of the trees likely to be infected by the disease from a disease-positive tree. Using 125 feet to determine what exposed trees to remove meant that up to 80% of the trees not yet showing canker symptoms were being left to further spread the disease.
What if the cutting crew damages my property?
Asplundh has filed a bond and is required to handle damage claims.
Why is the eradication program crucial?
The State's $8.5 billion citrus industry is critical to the well being of Florida's strong economy from which all citizens benefit. The program is also necessary to save the many backyard trees not yet affected by citrus canker.
What kind of compensation program is available? Call for more information
How do I identify members of the Citrus Canker Eradication Program?
All members of the Citrus Canker Eradication Program, including inspectors, wear badges and specially marked shirts for identification. If you have any questions regarding inspectors in your area, please call the Citrus Canker Helplines:
Miami-Dade / Broward / Palm Beach / Monroe counties
(800) 850-3781
All other Florida counties
(800) 282-5153
The following is a list of the most important quarantine zone rules for Florida residents: Also see Quarantine brochure ~ pdf
Citrus trees cannot be planted until eradication is declared and the quarantine zone is removed. Eradication is declared after the CCEP conducts two years of inspections without finding citrus canker.
Citrus trees may not be sold within a quarantine zone.
Potted citrus is not allowed in the quarantine zone. Potted citrus trees are considered mobile and therefore prohibited. Once found, the CCEP must remove and dispose of the potted citrus tree.
Citrus material (trees, fruit, rootstock, leaves, potted citrus plants, etc.) cannot be moved. This includes giving citrus fruit to neighbors, shipping fruit, moving citrus trees, or engaging in any other type of movement of citrus material. Some exceptions may be made for shipping to non-citrus bearing states. For more information call the helpline for your area.
Organizations that come in contact with citrus trees as a normal part of daily duties, such as lawn maintenance companies, must be in compliance with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer ServicesÂ’ decontamination requirements. Once a compliance agreement has been signed, companies will display a Canker Program compliance decal on the bottom of the driverÂ’s-side windshield.
Citrus tree clippings and/or fruit remains (e.g., peels, seeds, etc.) must be double-bagged in plastic for disposal with regular household garbage, NOT yard trash.
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/canker/ 
