Cherry Tree Concern - Ask Extension
I have a cherry tree that produced cherries but they were rotten. Even the birds never ate them. I thought maybe it was due to the strange weather, bu...
Knowledgebase
Cherry Tree Concern #584544
Asked July 29, 2019, 2:55 PM EDT
I have a cherry tree that produced cherries but they were rotten. Even the birds never ate them. I thought maybe it was due to the strange weather, but my dad came up and said there is something wrong with it because the leaves are dying on it. We did not see any holes or sap coming out anywhere (if it had a borer). I live in old town Berthoud. Thank you for your help!
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
I think this is cherry brown rot, which we normally don't see because our climate is dry. However, in cool, wet springs (think 2019), we do see this happen. The timing is right for when you would start to see evidence of the fungus.
At this point, there isn't anything you can do. Next spring you can prune out some affected branches (during the dormant season) and try to increase air circulation in the branches. This fall clean up fallen fruit and affected leaves to break the innoclum cycle. You can also use fungicides, but timing is key.
Here's a couple of publications to refer to:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/brown-rot-stone-fruit
And http://www.intermountainfruit.org/dbm/brown-rot
I think this is cherry brown rot, which we normally don't see because our climate is dry. However, in cool, wet springs (think 2019), we do see this happen. The timing is right for when you would start to see evidence of the fungus.
At this point, there isn't anything you can do. Next spring you can prune out some affected branches (during the dormant season) and try to increase air circulation in the branches. This fall clean up fallen fruit and affected leaves to break the innoclum cycle. You can also use fungicides, but timing is key.
Here's a couple of publications to refer to:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/brown-rot-stone-fruit
And http://www.intermountainfruit.org/dbm/brown-rot
