Red Lake Currant Plant

According to Michael A. Ellis, Department of Plant Pathology, and Leona Horst, Department of Plant Pathology at the Ohio State University:

White pine blister rust is not a serious disease of currants and gooseberries; however, it is a very serious disease of white pines (Pinus strobus). Currants and gooseberries serve as an alternate host for the rust fungus that causes white pine blister rust. Therefore, planting currants and gooseberries in areas where white pines are present can lead to serious losses of white pines. North American white pine species, including bristlecone, limber, sugar, eastern white, southwestern white, western white, and whitebark, are highly susceptible. White pine blister rust causes significant damage in pine forests by forming cankers on the branches of white pines. These cankers ultimately kill the trees. Black currant is the most susceptible of the Ribes species.

We have one Black Currant 'Consort" bush (they are self-fertile) that we planted in 2011. Last year, with a very little care (some mulch, a little fertilizer, water in the dry season), we picked 17 lbs of berries from that bush. We make jam. Nothing like it!

Rhonda, Red Lakes Currants are a bush...no trellis or fence. Do not prune for fitst 2 yhears then each plant should have 6 to 8 shoots.....trim to about 3 to 4 ft high

Yes they do. You might need to protect your red currant bush with a net when the fruits start to become pink, otherwise birds will eat a good part of it

Any kind of currants or gooseberries are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust and facilitate spread of the disease to nearby white pines. This is a much more serious disease on the pines than on the currant bushes.

Nothing happens to the currants but they may carry white pine rust, which can kill the pine trees.

A species (strobus) of the pinus genus. Their needles grow in clusters of 5. Their trunks are tall and straight. Because of this they were used widely for ship masts.

I bought 3 of these couple of years ago. They do not have thorns, or anything pointy or prickly. They have done well at my house in Pennsylvania, and in their second year, they produced fruit!

Do not see why not. Mine I placed in less than optimal dirt (heavy clay) and they seem to be doing well. Pot should be of size to allow root growth.

Netting is the most effective way, unless you're able to fence them in. These are strong, lightweight nets you can drape over the bushes. They'll keep the birds and squirrels away from your harvest: //www.starkbros.com/products/tools-and-supplies/pest-and-disease-controls/bird-x-garden-nets