yoshino cherry tree - Ask Extension
Hello, I have a yoshino cherry tree that we planted in the spring. It's growing great, but I've noticed small black ants that are very busy tending to...
Knowledgebase
yoshino cherry tree #704511
Asked July 23, 2020, 4:08 PM EDT
Hello, I have a yoshino cherry tree that we planted in the spring. It's growing great, but I've noticed small black ants that are very busy tending to these hard green nobs on the branches, and some leaf damage, but I never see any caterpillars or other suspects munching. I've attached some pics. Any help identifying and treatment planning would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi - The little nobs on your cherry are called extrafloral nectaries. These are completely normal structures on cherries (and other Prunus species). They exude nectar that ants are attracted to for food. In addition to feeding on the sweet nectar, ants are also predators of other insects, including caterpillars. The holes on leaves may be due to minor caterpillar or beetle feeding. So, what you have here is quite normal and there is no need to take any action. This article provides a nice basic overview about extrafloral nectaries and the association with ants.
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/746
Your cherry foliage looks very normal and healthy overall. Be sure to keep up with watering, especially during hot, dry periods this summer. Watering in the first 1-2 years is critically important for new trees to establish a good root system. Refer to our guidelines for watering new trees, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/watering-trees-and-shrubs
Also, make sure the mulch layer is not to deep (no more than about 3") and avoid putting it right up against the trunk (which can make the area prone to rotting or insect borers). https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/mulch
Christa
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/746
Your cherry foliage looks very normal and healthy overall. Be sure to keep up with watering, especially during hot, dry periods this summer. Watering in the first 1-2 years is critically important for new trees to establish a good root system. Refer to our guidelines for watering new trees, https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/watering-trees-and-shrubs
Also, make sure the mulch layer is not to deep (no more than about 3") and avoid putting it right up against the trunk (which can make the area prone to rotting or insect borers). https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/mulch
Christa
