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Fungus on Black Gold cherry tree fruit #563729

Asked May 22, 2019, 9:26 PM EDT

Hi, This year is one of the first years I got quite a few blossoms on my black gold cherry tree (on gisela root stock). Most of them formed little cherries, but after a couple weeks, many of them were still small and some were covered in fungus. I also noticed many leaves were shriveled or dead. It seems maybe there is an infection -- possibly brown rot. Would you agree with this diagnosis? Is there any recommendation on how to control the infection and save my tree? And if it can be saved, is there anything I can do to prevent it in the future? Thanks! Andrew

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi,

It's difficult to confirm a brown rot diagnosis based on the photos submitted but it is a likely cause of the symptoms this time of year, especially based on plentiful rain and sufficiently warm temperatures.

Brown rot is a common, destructive fungal disease that makes growing stone fruit a challenge for Maryland homeowners. Sanitation and properly timed fungicide sprays help to combat the disease. The fungus overwinters in twig cankers and in mummified fruit that is left hanging on the tree or has dropped to the ground. So, pick off and dispose of infected fruit (and fruit stems) from the tree and rake up any that has fallen around the tree. Apply labeled fungicides when the blooms are between 5-10% open, at full bloom, and about 2 weeks prior to harvest. It is best to apply fungicides before a rain event is predicted instead of waiting until after. Additional cover sprays will be necessary if we are experiencing a cool, wet spring and summer. Rotating fungicides helps to reduce the fungus from becoming resistant to the preventative sprays.

Fungicides available to home gardeners can prevent but not cure infections. Organic fungicides like sulfur and copper can be somewhat effective but may damage new spring growth.

Information on brown rot:

https://extension.psu.edu/stone-fruit-disease-brown-rot

https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/diseases-stone-fruit

Spray schedule from VA Tech (scroll down to stone fruit):

https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-018/ENTO-289C.pdf

Jon

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