Cherry, flowering and wild black cherry
Cherry leaf spot (fungus)
Small spots, often pinkish. Lesion may fall out, leaving shot hole. Does not
normally require management.
Black
knot (fungus)
Large black galls on branches. Prune out and destroy all infected wood in
late winter, making pruning cuts at least 6 to 8 inches below infected area. Remove
nearby sources of inoculum such as infections on wild cherries and plums. Consider
replacing trees with more a more resistant cultivar. Fungicides containing one
of the active ingredients, captan, chlorothalonil or thiophanate-methyl may be
applied at pre-bloom, petal fall and three more times at 10- to 14-day intervals.
Alternatively, make a dormant application of lime sulfur spray.
Decline
Gradual loss of vigor. Foliage may be sparse, and leaves may be smaller than
normal, turn yellow and drop. Two common causes: poor soil aeration and freeze
injury to bark. Plant in well-aerated soil. Also see freeze injury below.
Freeze injury
Twigs may not survive the winter. If injury is to the bark of the trunk, the
tree may decline slowly or bloom, then suddenly wilt and die. Many types of ornamental
cherries are not reliable in Missouri's climate. Plant the hardiest varieties.
Plant in a protected location.
Updated 6/8/09