Knowledgebase
bing cherry 2 years old #405375
Asked June 07, 2017, 3:19 PM EDT
Douglas County Oregon
Expert Response
It appears that your cherry has a fungal infection known as leaf spot.
Most leaf spot diseases develop as small, scattered, circular to oval dead areas in the leaves; usually tan, dark brown, yellow, gray, purple, or black. Some spots are raised, shiny, and coal black, others may drop out leaving ragged holes; some are marked with light and dark concentric zones. Numerous spots develop yellow, purple, red, or reddish brown to black margins; and later, in damp weather, increase in size and number and merge into large, angular to irregular dead areas. Dark areas and speck-sized, fungus-fruiting bodies (known as pycnidia, acervuli, and perithecia) commonly form in the dead tissues of many older spots. Heavily infected leaves may turn yellow to brown, wither, and drop early, weakening the tree. Occasionally, some leaf spotting fungi deform or kill flowers, buds, fruits, twigs, and even branches.
It is recommended that you practice good sanitation with removing and destroying infected leaves. Make sure your trees remain properly hydrated…a good soak once a week. Practice a consistent spray schedule starting with a dormant oil and lime-sulfur spray during the dormant season.
Here are some publications you will find useful.
Hope this helps!