Cherry tree scar- bacterial canker? - Ask Extension
I have a 1.5 year old cherry tree that we recently put in, in N. Durham. The other day I noticed some holes in the leaves and a small scar on the tr...
Knowledgebase
Cherry tree scar- bacterial canker? #240340
Asked April 29, 2015, 8:07 AM EDT
I have a 1.5 year old cherry tree that we recently put in, in N. Durham. The other day I noticed some holes in the leaves and a small scar on the trunk. The scar does not seem to be oozing and while I have noticed holes in the leaves, I do not see any browning before the holes develop or around the edges of the holes. Might this be bacterial canker? Something else? Nothing to worry about? If it is something, can you suggest an organic-acceptable solution to the problem?
I have attached a picture of the scar and the leaves.
I have attached a picture of the scar and the leaves.
Durham County North Carolina
Expert Response
The holes in the leaves may be an early sign of shot hole disease http://ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/DISEASE/shothole.html. Cankerworms are also out right know, they are small inch worms that come down on the trees on little threads - if you don't see them it is probably shothole disease.
The crack in the bark could have been the result of cracking, sometimes caused by fluctuations in the temperature. It does not look like bacterial canker - but I could do some more checking.
Michelle Wallace, Horticulture Agent
The crack in the bark could have been the result of cracking, sometimes caused by fluctuations in the temperature. It does not look like bacterial canker - but I could do some more checking.
Michelle Wallace, Horticulture Agent
