Plum Tree With Pests And/Or Disease - Ask Extension
This well established backyard plum tree has only produced about two plums this year. Most of the last two or more months, after a record setting amou...
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Plum Tree With Pests And/Or Disease #803147
Asked July 26, 2022, 2:29 PM EDT
This well established backyard plum tree has only produced about two plums this year. Most of the last two or more months, after a record setting amount of rain in April 2022 in Beaverton, Oregon, has had curly leaves, holes eaten in leaves, entire leaves eaten off the trees, shiny, sticky leaves and pests. The plum tree has only been fertilized once this spring. The owner loves this tree but is tempted to cut it down. The tree is in Beaverton, Oregon. Your thoughts, please? Thank you very much! Joan Santos, Hillsboro, OR.
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Joan. There are 19 insects that are pests of plum trees, at least 6 of which leave holes by chewing or sucking chlorophyll out of leaf cells. Some also cause leaf roll. I believe that I can see aphids, which leave honeydew, a sticky substance. https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/plum-prune/plum-prune-aphid
I cannot see with enough clarity what is chewing on the leaf margins.
There are 19 diseases of plum trees, some of which will, over time, reduce the fruiting capacity of the tree, as well as threatening its existence. One of the more common reasons for minimal fruiting is no or inconsistent pruning. Without any information about the tree's care, I can only speculate. Perhaps reading this Extension publication would help narrow down the possibilities: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec819
If you have other images of what appears to be insects or disease symptoms, please write back. Thanks!
I cannot see with enough clarity what is chewing on the leaf margins.
There are 19 diseases of plum trees, some of which will, over time, reduce the fruiting capacity of the tree, as well as threatening its existence. One of the more common reasons for minimal fruiting is no or inconsistent pruning. Without any information about the tree's care, I can only speculate. Perhaps reading this Extension publication would help narrow down the possibilities: https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec819
If you have other images of what appears to be insects or disease symptoms, please write back. Thanks!
