Leaf loss on Cherry

[slack ma girdle]

Yes, the cherry blossomed but died off along with the leaves. There are a few at the very top of the tree left but are headed the same way...

 

Blossom wilt is very common. The most effective method of dealing with it that i have found is cut out all of the infected wood in mid to end of June. You also have to insure that all dropped leaves and blossom are removed, and again in the autumn.

[TerryTibbs]

Thanks for all the replies, i'll recommend a reduction, sure the client will be happy as they were keen on the tree! Just a shame that they didn't do anything about it before, it's the second year it's been suffering badly...

[treeseer]

Don't forget the bottom half of the tree--root stress from competition and paving need to be mitigated.

 

Canker can be treated by sanitation.

[Jesse]

I've been out today to look at 2 Cherry trees and a Crab Apple that have seriously damaged leaves (where there are any!) and this years leaves, after blossoming have died and dried up, still attached to the tree.

 

A few photo's attached....

 

Spotting on leaves.

 

 

Dead leaves.

 

 

Shot of the tree.

 

 

Closer shot of dead leaves

 

 

 

Any ideas?

 

Cheers, Chris

Pseudomonas syringae pv.morsprunorum Bacterial canker of Cherry, no control , you would do better to remove the tree and replant with a different species .

[Jesse]

Thanks for all the replies, i'll recommend a reduction, sure the client will be happy as they were keen on the tree! Just a shame that they didn't do anything about it before, it's the second year it's been suffering badly...[/quote

A reduction will not resolve the problem ,extensive die back will occur next year, that is IF it even comes back into leaf again , it is widespread and common with Cherry. Hope that helps.

[treeseer]

"A reduction will not resolve the problem ,extensive die back will occur next year,"

 

How certain a prediction is this?

 

"that is IF it even comes back into leaf again , it is widespread and common with Cherry."

 

I thought the question is about this tree, not how widespread or common the suspected pest is. Recovery relies a bit on stored resources--how plump are the twigs? Could do a quick starch test.

 

If the owner is keen on keeping it, why not try? Clip just the worst of the dying and weak branches--reduction overall might be too hard on it. And for heavens sake get the owner to let you improve the rooting environment--with all those other plants, that would be money well spent even if the cherry does not make it.

 

Starting by lifting those pavers and amending the soil, then relaying them--that would make a big difference in an hour or so. P syringae common here too but seldom fatal in 3 years. All I am saying, is give the tree a chance!