Hello.

I saw an old post on Chester blackberries...... and it got my interest...... I have planted a 2nd set of 2 of these plants (vs canes) I got from a local nursery. And I had a similar problem as that person. Note that I planted about 10 other varieties of raspberries and blackberrys (most from this same nursery, but most bare root canes) and all the others have done good. But my Chester blackberries have had a similar problem both times..... Leaves turning somewhat brown/black and then I find a branch that is off with a clean cut like someone cut it off with a knife! Both plants eventually died. I know there are deer and a lot of squirrels around. Could they be just selectively eating this one variety??? Note that they did get to my Triple Crown blackberrys, but it was a different kind of cut.... not looking clean.

Bob