Why are my blackberry bushes dying?

Question

I have several large blackberry bushes that appeared very healthy this spring and fruited well. The canes are now dying, with the leaves and fruit turning brown. The new canes are coming in strong. Any reason for the fruiting canes to be dying back? Thanks!

Answer 1

There are several fungus that can cause this. I would treat the plants with a fungicide now to help protect the canes that are growing in now. The other canes should recover their leaves this year, but they will not fruit again.