Cherry tree diseases: description with photos and treatment methods

The first signs of the disease

Unfortunately, every tree's disease doesn't show up immediately. Gardeners usually notice the first warning signs when the tree's disease is in its full swing.

The most common signs are yellowing of leaves, wilting, and leaf drop. However, other unfavorable changes should be examined in detail to determine the underlying causes of the infestation and effective methods of controlling them. Cherry diseases and their control may be different.

The main diseases of cherries and their treatment

Clusterosporiasis

This disease typically manifests itself in the spring as circular brownish spots on cherry tree foliage. After a few days, a brightly colored border appears around these spots, further enlarging them. A week later, holes appear in these same spots. If all the foliage is infected with clasterosporium, you won't be able to get a good harvest this year.

The cherry disease described here, with photos and treatment options, also affects the fruit. Small, crimson-colored, sunken spots appear on the cherries. At first, they're barely visible unless you look closely, but within just five days, they'll enlarge to the size of small, dark-colored warts with an unpleasant discharge. In the affected areas of each berry, the flesh stops developing and dries out.

This disease is insidious, and if immediate action is not taken, damage will occur not only to the foliage and fruit, but also to the shoots. On shoots, clasterosporium appears as elongated, slightly rounded, cracked spots with a dark or light border around them.

The culprit of the disease is considered to be a common fungus that lives in cracks or other damage to the tree during the winter.

Treatment

To combat this disease, a gardener will need Bordeaux mixture. You need a 1% solution (50 g per 5 liters of water). Apply to the affected areas when the buds are just beginning to open, or during flowering. Apply a second time after flowering, and a third time a couple of weeks later. The final application should be done a month before harvest. Also, pay attention to Apple tree diseases (with photos) and their treatment.

Coccomycosis

Small red spots appear on the leaves. They are visible from all sides, but a coating may develop on the underside. After some time, each affected leaf gradually turns yellow, eventually drying up and falling off early. Coccomycosis is caused by a fungus that lives in fallen leaves or shoots during the winter.

This fungal plant diseaseIt progresses in early spring, when the cherry tree blossoms. It spreads quite rapidly, leaving behind fungal spores on the leaves. An infected tree harbors an incredible number of these spores, which are spread by insects or animals. In addition to a description of the disease with photographs of the cherry tree, the most effective treatment is presented below. According to professionals, it is the best.

Treatment

If your tree has suffered damage, you should try ferrous sulfate. You'll need 350 grams per 10 liters of clean water. Apply before flowering.

After the cherry blossoms, treat the leaves with a medicine called Horus. Dissolve just 2 grams of the product in 10 liters of water. Apply to the affected areas 2-3 weeks after the cherry blossoms, and repeat the treatment 4 weeks after the cherry harvest.

Moniliosis

This is the name of a fungal disease that affects not only cherry trees but also other fruit trees. While other trees are more resistant, cherry trees can die completely. Felt cherry is the most susceptible. Treatment methods and a description with photos are below.

The first signs appear at the very beginning of flowering. Fungal spores land on the unopened flowers and begin their work. They first attack the stems, then the young foliage and shoot tips. If an average person with no gardening knowledge sees a cherry tree with moniliosis, they'll assume the tree has simply burned—very dry flowers and leaves, ash-black branches. And their assumption will be almost correct, as the plant has suffered moniliosis burn.

Among other things, the berries also become infected, covered with a hideous gray coating. It differs from simple rot in that it settles wherever it pleases, rather than in specific locations. Diseased cherries don't fall off, but rather appear frozen and can hang on the branch for 1-2 years, acting as a primary vector for infection for nearby plants.

Treatment

Unfortunately, at the first sign of disease, you must prune away all affected branches, leaves, and shoots without hesitation. While the affected areas may appear normal from the outside, they are the ones that spread the fungus. And don't forget to remove all diseased fruit. Failure to do so will result in moniliosis spreading to neighboring plants. You might be interested to read this. description of the cherry variety “Shokoladnitsa”.

All debris affected by this disease, along with dry fallen leaves, should be carefully stacked and mercilessly burned, thus stopping the further development of the fungal infection.

Anthracnose

The description of cherry disease, along with photos and treatment methods, is fairly brief, but sufficient to understand the appropriate course of action. The disease itself differs from previous ones in that it affects only the fruit. The almost invisible, light-colored spots on the cherry tree are quite difficult to detect at the onset of the disease. Dry weather causes the fruit to develop a pink bloom, while damp weather promotes fungal growth, which has a detrimental effect on the tree as a whole.

Treatment

The only way to prevent the disease from developing is to pick the affected berries, take them away from your garden and bury them, or better yet, burn them.

For preventative purposes, you can use 20 g of Polyram per 10 liters of water. Repeat this procedure at least three times: the first time before flowering, the second time after, and the third time exactly two weeks later.

Rust

The disease primarily affects the foliage of this tree. Small, reddish bumps can be seen on the outer surface of diseased foliage, strongly reminiscent of rust on metal, hence the name.

Rust is caused by a fungus that overwinters in the cracks of leaves. If left unchecked, rust will cause significant leaf loss, often prematurely, significantly reducing yields.

Treatment

Copper oxychloride is used here. It is applied to the foliage twice: before and after cherry blossoms. To do this, you need 80 g of the dry mixture per 10 liters of clean water. A five-year-old tree will require about 4-5 liters, but for a young tree, 2 liters is enough. A third application with Bordeaux mixture is possible, but only after the cherry tree has harvested.

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Scab

The disease manifests itself on foliage and berries as distinct, velvety green spots. These fungal spores are dispersed over considerable distances at the slightest breeze, infecting neighboring, otherwise healthy trees. Eventually, microcracks form in the fruit, rendering the produce unusable. This disease can damage more than half of a tree's berries.

Treatment

Only 1% Bordeaux mixture will help here. It should be applied before the buds begin to open. The second application can be made only after 12-14 days, and the third only after the fruit is harvested. For the most severe cases, it is recommended to apply the mixture four times, but only two weeks after the third application.

Now you know the most common cherry tree diseases, their descriptions with photos, and treatment methods. All professionals and beginners alike are advised to pay close attention to their beloved garden. Carefully examine the foliage, buds, flowers, and shoots, and begin treating any ailments at the slightest sign. To avoid chemical treatments, simply prune away any affected areas promptly to prevent bacterial growth.