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bing cherry 2 years old #405375

Asked June 07, 2017, 3:19 PM EDT

bing cherry, got from costco. first year started great then in month leaves started dying off. now is second season/year started great and again leaves are dying. if i don't do something quick i think the tree will die. do you have any suggestions? i've never used corporate chemicals in my yard. about 6 years ago i used some natural organic insecticides. i have 6 diff apple trees, 2 pear, dark and red cherry trees (all trees at least 15 years old). 15 rose bushes, rosemary, lavender, 80 year old cedar trees... other fruit trees leaves have a a little brown, a little eaten... but maybe because they are big and healthy can outgrow the thing that's killing the new bing cherry? HELP!

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.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/polk/sites/default/files/MG_Handouts/managing_diseases_and_insects_in_your_home_orchard_0.pdf

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco/sites/default/files/bacterial_canker_of_sweet_cherry_in_oregon_may10.pdf

https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/fruit/integrated-pest-management-for-home-stone-fruit-growers/cherry-leaf-spot/

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/forestry/publications/pdf/forest_health/UIUC_Leaf_Spot_Diseases_of_Trees.pdf

Hope this helps!

 

Chris Rusch Replied June 09, 2017, 12:53 AM EDT

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