Young cherry tree yellowing leaves - Ask Extension
We planted a young cherry tree in the spring and it has not had much growth. Now, some of the leaves have yellowed. Some leaves have withered to bro...
Knowledgebase
Young cherry tree yellowing leaves #197932
Asked July 09, 2014, 1:38 PM EDT
We planted a young cherry tree in the spring and it has not had much growth. Now, some of the leaves have yellowed. Some leaves have withered to brown. Some leaves have holes, but we have had some hail here. The tree is shaded in the morning and in full sun in the afternoon. It gets most water just from runoff from yard sprinklers. It looks like there may be some mottled white spots on the branches. Could it be a fungus? Too much water? I included some photos (morning shade).
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question and for sending pictures.
I think there are a few issues going on with your cherry tree.
You do not say what variety of cherry this is nor if it is a sour
cherry or sweet cherry. There are some different issues that
occur with sour or sweet cherries. So I will talk about cherry
trees in general.
You state that it gets morning shade and afternoon shade.
Fruit trees like full sun all day. Shade can promote such
problems as powdery mildew and nutrition deficiencies.
It looks like the tree is planted close to a fence. Poor air
circulation can also be a factor in powdery mildew and other
problems/diseases.
It does look like you have hail damage to the leaves, which
can cause the leaves to yellow and die; this will also cause
small twigs to die.
If it is possible to move the tree to a better location it would
be beneficial for the tree. If you chose to transplant the tree
try to get as much of the root ball as possible. Here is a link
to a fact sheet on planting trees:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/636.html
This link is for information on taking care of newly planted or transplanted trees.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/635.html
I would try to prune as many of the affected leaves
and twigs as possible. It is important to use clean pruners.
You can disinfect your pruners with rubbing alcohol or a
diluted clorox solution. Clean the pruners before and after
each cut.
The information on care of newly planted trees will explain
watering and fertilization regimens.
I hope this information will help you have success with your
cherry tree.
I think there are a few issues going on with your cherry tree.
You do not say what variety of cherry this is nor if it is a sour
cherry or sweet cherry. There are some different issues that
occur with sour or sweet cherries. So I will talk about cherry
trees in general.
You state that it gets morning shade and afternoon shade.
Fruit trees like full sun all day. Shade can promote such
problems as powdery mildew and nutrition deficiencies.
It looks like the tree is planted close to a fence. Poor air
circulation can also be a factor in powdery mildew and other
problems/diseases.
It does look like you have hail damage to the leaves, which
can cause the leaves to yellow and die; this will also cause
small twigs to die.
If it is possible to move the tree to a better location it would
be beneficial for the tree. If you chose to transplant the tree
try to get as much of the root ball as possible. Here is a link
to a fact sheet on planting trees:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/636.html
This link is for information on taking care of newly planted or transplanted trees.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/mg/Gardennotes/635.html
I would try to prune as many of the affected leaves
and twigs as possible. It is important to use clean pruners.
You can disinfect your pruners with rubbing alcohol or a
diluted clorox solution. Clean the pruners before and after
each cut.
The information on care of newly planted trees will explain
watering and fertilization regimens.
I hope this information will help you have success with your
cherry tree.
