Cherry tree diseases: description with photos

Knowing the diseases cherries by description and photographs, you can quickly notice if something is wrong with the tree and choose the most effective treatment. After all, if a fruit tree is attacked by one of these diseases, it can seriously affect not only cherry yield but also tree growth, and over time, without treatment, the tree may die altogether. More than one gardener has lost their cherry "plantations" simply due to basic ignorance, so when planting this unique tree on your property, it's important to know the common cherry diseases, their descriptions, and treatment methods.

Clusterosporiasis

This unpleasant disease with such a complex name belongs to a group of fungal diseases. The most favorable conditions for its development are warm and humid weather, so during such periods, you should inspect your tree as often as possible. You can visually recognize the disease by looking closely at the cherry tree's leaves. In the initial stages, small brown spots appear as a border; as the disease progresses, holes form instead of spots. The disease also affects the tree's fruit, which not only becomes visually unappetizing but also simply dries out, not to mention making these cherries unfit for consumption. In severe stages, the disease spreads to the bark, causing cracking.

Treatment for cherry blossom blight (with photos), which is similar to clasterosporium blight, primarily involves preventing the fungus from overwintering on the tree during the cold season. This means cutting off all affected areas of the tree and burning them immediately. If the tree bark has cracked and gum oozing has begun, the area should be sealed with garden pitch. Fallen affected fruit and leaves should also be burned.

Coccomycosis

Visually, this disease manifests as brown spots on the upper surface of the leaves, while a white-pink coating can be found on the outer surface. Affected leaves stop photosynthesis, turn completely yellow, and fall off. Both the fruit and bark are susceptible to deformation. The danger lies in the fact that wood maturation is inhibited, which, in severe frosts, can lead to frostbite.

If cherry trees begin to drop leaves as early as August, it's time to treat the tree. The primary treatment is to remove all affected areas. In the spring, you can prevent the disease by treating the wood with Nitrfen. Spraying the tree with Bordeaux mixture also helps combat the disease.

Coccomycosis is not typical for cherry varieties such as ‘Lyubskaya’ and ‘Vladimirskaya’.

Moniliosis

To recognize cherry tree diseases, you need to know their descriptions and photographs, as well as treatment methods. This is especially important if your cherry tree suddenly becomes infected with moniliosis. This disease can spread to other trees. It affects the tree's twigs and foliage. An ash-like coating appears on the branches, and the leaves become dry, making it sometimes appear as if the tree has been attacked by fire. The dry leaves associated with this disease are caused by what's known as moniliosis.

Since the disease spreads from already infected areas of the tree, all inflamed areas must be removed and burned. This can be a labor-intensive process, but it is the only way to eliminate the disease from the tree.

Anthracnose

One of the few diseases that primarily affects the tree's fruit. Cherries, even if they haven't yet ripened, develop a thin coating, and if the weather is consistently hot, the tree's leaves may also turn red.

The best way to get rid of the disease is to pick the affected fruit and bury it somewhere away from the plot, preferably in a wild area. A solution of Polyram is effective for both treatment and prevention.

Cherry rust

It is a fungal disease and appears as red-brown spots (resembling rust) on tree leaves.

To treat this disease, the tree should be treated with the preparation "Hom," diluted at a rate of 40 grams per 5 liters of water. Since the disease is primarily localized on the upper side of the leaves, treating the tree with this preparation is straightforward.

We recommend: What to do if the cherry tree is blooming but not bearing fruit.

Sooty mold

Another cherry disease is sooty mold, described (with photos) as follows: the formation of dirty gray spots resembling soot on leaves, shoots, and eventually, on the fruit. In its advanced stage, the spot becomes a dense gray coating that can be easily rubbed off by hand, leaving a black, soot-like residue, hence the name.

Treating wood with preparations containing copper will be effective.

Knowing cherry tree diseases, including their descriptions and photos, can not only help you find timely treatments but also increase your tree's yield. After all, every plant requires proper care, which includes measures to prevent and treat diseases.