Thank you for your question.

You would first need a proper diagnosis of to determine a proper plan of attack. Has someone already taken a look at the trees and told you that you have bacterial canker?

My suspician on the cherry and peach tree is that you have cytospora canker. Cytospora canker is a fungal disease which can be controlled by pruning diseased branches. If this disease infects the trunk, the tree will often need to be removed.

I cannot make a proper diagnosis without seeing the trees and the damage. Do you have the capability to send me a few pictures? Including close ups and broader views?

Our daughter will be here in about a week or so and I can have her take some pictures for me as I am not that familiar with sending pictures on the computer. Both trees have that nasty gooey stuff all over them. We had the peach tree pruned but I don't think they knew what they were doing. There are dead (or what look dead) branches on the cherry tree. They really are a mess.

I am very sorry to hear that.

I will wait for the pictures and take a close look.

Hi - I am finally able to send you the pictures.  The first one is the gooey stuff on the peach tree.  Second and third ones are of the cherry tree.  I really hope there is something we can do to save them but I don't want to infect my new trees.  If there is nothing I can do to save these trees how long do I need to wait or can I do anything to the ground before planting another tree so this stuff doesn't infect anything else.?  Thank you for your help.

Thank you for the great pictures.

This is Cytospora canker. Cytospora canker is a fungal disease which can be controlled by pruning diseased branches. If this disease infects the trunk, the tree will often need to be removed. Please click on the link below for the best fact sheet from Colorado State University. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02937.htmlAfter you read, please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Thank you for your help.  We will be removing the peach tree and the cherry tree.

Is there anything I need to do after they are removed to make sure this stuff does not effect my young trees?

What type of young trees do you have?

We just had the two trees in question removed.

How long do I need to wait before planting anything in these two areas? Or is there something I should put on the ground where they were?

I currently have 3 semi-dwarf apple trees, 2 dwarf cherry trees, 1 dwarf nectarine and 6 blueberry bushes.

Thank you for your help

Wow! That was fast removal. The important thing to remember about this disease is that is hits the most vulnerable. If we are in a drought (as we are) you must hand water these trees. Even in the winter. Fruit trees must be correctly pruned with clean cuts. One jagged cut when pruning can invite this disease. Before planting new trees the soil should be well ammended with organic material. When you buy new trees try to purchase disease resistant varieties.

Keep in mind: A yellow or amber "gum" on the tree indicates a disease like Cytospora. Clear gum indicates non-disease damage from hail, early frost, etc.

Everything is gone except some sawdust and a few twigs. I still worry that there could be something hanging around that could infect anything new I plant in these spots.. Although the peach tree was approx. 30 years old and cherry tree approx. 20 years old (and they hadn't been taken care of for a long time) I hated having them removed.

Is there a good tree pruner in our area (Colorado Springs)?  The last person we had prune the peach tree they butchered it.  I'm afraid I don't know quite enough to make sure the apple trees are growing correctly and I don't want to do damage to them by incorrect pruning.

I have been considering a Heartnut or Butternut tree for one of these areas. Will this be ok?  Or Wolfberry bushes? Thank you very much for your help.

Make sure the person you hire to prune the fruit trees is a  licenced arborists. Ask to see their license. Ask for references, ask if they have experience with fruit trees. A professional will not be offended by these questions and should be happy to provide you the information. If you call the El Paso County Master Gardening Help Desk, they may have a few names and numbers for you. Their phone number is: <personal data hidden> - They are open M-F 9-Noon.

 I will let you know shortly about the trees you mentioned.

There is not enough sufficient research material regarding these trees in El Paso County. I am including a few detailed links for recommended trees in our region. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/VegFruit/Fruits/fetish.htm
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Trees/moretree.htm
http://csfs.colostate.edu/pdfs/trees_for_frontrange.pdf

Happy Planting!

Thank you again for all of your help and I will be using the links that you sent me to do more research on what I might be planting.

THANK YOU