Gummosis in young cherry tree - Ask Extension
We have a Van Cherry tree that had green leaves starting to show just as we got a late freeze this spring (16 degrees). Until this week we did not se...
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Gummosis in young cherry tree #643246
Asked May 29, 2020, 9:31 PM EDT
We have a Van Cherry tree that had green leaves starting to show just as we got a late freeze this spring (16 degrees). Until this week we did not see any signs of life from the tree. We have continued to water regularly. The tree is away from the grass and has not been hit by a mower or weed trimmer. We noticed these cankers on a few branches today. Photos attached. We did some research and it appears to be gummosis? Can we save this tree?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
The gummosis is a sign of stress and it may not be from this season--it could have been from another season (including hail damage).
Most of the fruit trees were zapped by the Easter weekend freezes we had in April. But if the tree is starting to leaf out now, just continue what you're doing. Make sure to avoid additional stress--don't prune or fertilize.
At this point it's still a wait and see. The tree is young, so hopefully it will recover!
The gummosis is a sign of stress and it may not be from this season--it could have been from another season (including hail damage).
Most of the fruit trees were zapped by the Easter weekend freezes we had in April. But if the tree is starting to leaf out now, just continue what you're doing. Make sure to avoid additional stress--don't prune or fertilize.
At this point it's still a wait and see. The tree is young, so hopefully it will recover!
Thank you, Allison. This tree had buds before the last freeze but there has been no leaf growth since April. It is as though they froze in time.
Should we treat the gummosis in any way? We saw advice to treat it with a fungicide or to cut it out but what you are saying is to just hold on and continue to water the tree and avoid any additional stress?
With thanks. Aaron and Jamie Carta
Hi Jamie and Aaron,
No treatment needed at this time. Just continue with good cultural practices!
No treatment needed at this time. Just continue with good cultural practices!
