Torching cankers on live trees

[WTNUT]

As most of you know, I am fireblight focused right now. I saw somewhere on the web that the bacteria from FB dies at 160 to 180 degrees. Some have also suggested that rather than clean out the canker, you might be able to burn it out. My thoughts exactly. If a trunk or branch was large enough, why couldn't you take a propane or Map-Pro torch to burn out the canker?

 

[Turkey Creek]

I think you could at a localized spot. However FB is systemic and goes beyond what you can see.

 

[WTNUT]

During the winter, you need to remove the cankers. I am assuming you have removed strikes during the growing season and are not simply trying to remove cankers to help prevent future outbreaks. If, and that is a big if, you could torch it that manner seems more likely to prevent left over bacteria than scraping it off.