Hello,
I have a number of raspberry bushes that I planted in my backyard last fall. Over the course of the summer two original bushes turned into about 15 bushes. When I thinned and transplanted the bushes early this fall, I noticed that some of the canes had a one inch band of black color a few inches above the soil level. The plants appear to be healthy otherwise, but I'm concerned this black band is a disease. I dealt with a number of cane-borers over the summer, but I don't think this is related. Does anybody have any ideas? I live in northern Vermont. Thanks for the help!