Odd thickening on cherry

[daltontrees]

I used to work as a cherry picker in the season, so have spent quite a lot of time up cherry trees over the years.

 

I think what you are looking at is damage to the leader (where the black bit is) resulting in growth from a side bud. This is what is indicated by the grain pattern. I would speculate that the damage here was from bacterial canker, which cherries are prone to and doesn't always progress, so it can cause damage rather than death, resulting in a level of damage down as far as the bud which broke. This has interfered with the genetic material at the tip, causing it to grow in an odd way. I've seen others where it results in the stem being flattened, or growing sort of wings out of the side of the stem, or spiralling, or growing really long with no strength so it hangs straight down several feet and flowers at the wrong time of year!

 

Alec

 

I am very grateful for rhe reasoned response. I am inclinded to agree and to view this from the elevated position of your experience of cherry which otherwise it would take me years to earn. The 'bend' seems to have a failed 'straight ahead' growth and a failed left turn but the right turn has succeeded. If as the next response to the post suggests there is some constriction on phloem flow without stopping xylem flow (and your suggestion of bacterial canker seems not just possible buit probable) then it starts to make sense.

 

I have a strangled conifer stem out the back that like the following post shows a puffing out above (= distally to) the constriction. Family and income permitting, I'll dissect it too. And post the photos.

Edited November 17, 2013 by daltontrees