sick cherry tree - Ask Extension
This cherry tree is the 7th of 9 different fruit trees planted this spring in a staggered row. It's the only one showing distress. No evidence of di...
Knowledgebase
sick cherry tree #806269
Asked August 14, 2022, 10:12 PM EDT
This cherry tree is the 7th of 9 different fruit trees planted this spring in a staggered row. It's the only one showing distress. No evidence of disease or pest pressure, though we did have trouble with Japanese beetles earlier this year. Leaves are turning color and drooping. There is one pruning cut from when the trees were planted whose cut surface is black and a bit "shiny". The tree is a burgundy pearl sweet cherry on standard mazzard root stock. Let me know if you have further questions or need other photos. Thanks for your help.
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
If the trunk under the wrap seems in good shape, I suggest you investigate your soil situation as it seems to be a whole tree stress. A problem with the roots would affect the whole tree.
Things to investigate:
If you mixed a lot of mulch with the soil before planting or heaped a very thick (greater than 8 inches) layer on top of the soil around the tree, this can have a negative effect on a young tree. The excess mulch can tie up the soil nutrients, change the soil pH, and make it difficult for the roots to have good soil contact. Do a soil test to see what the pH is, and adjust if necessary.
https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/
If too much mulch, pull some away and add more soil typical of your lawn.
You could use a watering can to add a modest amount of soluble fertilizer. Don't overdo it this late in the summer.
Things to investigate:
If you mixed a lot of mulch with the soil before planting or heaped a very thick (greater than 8 inches) layer on top of the soil around the tree, this can have a negative effect on a young tree. The excess mulch can tie up the soil nutrients, change the soil pH, and make it difficult for the roots to have good soil contact. Do a soil test to see what the pH is, and adjust if necessary.
https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/
If too much mulch, pull some away and add more soil typical of your lawn.
You could use a watering can to add a modest amount of soluble fertilizer. Don't overdo it this late in the summer.
I removed the wrap and found an amber/orange gelatinous material inside and on the bark. (see photo) It almost seemed transparent. i didn't see any damage to the bark, just this mass, and soil inside the wrap for about 2" above grade. I've pulled the soil away from the tree, down to grade. Should I wipe this goo off the bark? Disinfect it with something? Will a 9-9-6 bulb starter fertilizer work? How much? Thanks for your help.
Hi Tom,
Bill is busy so your question was assigned to me. My first thoughts when I read your description was Bacteria canker or a root problem. Usually when we have Bacterial canker we see gummosis, which is the jelly like substance in your most recent photo. Gummosis is a general stress response to a wound or infection in stone fruit trees much like you running a fever when you are sick. You say there are no marks on the trunk associated with the gumming. I think you should look harder. Wash the trunk and look for a canker associated with the gumming. A canker would be a sunken dark area.
The other possibility is a borer. There are 3 borers that attack stone fruit in Michigan. My guess is this is one of the peach tree borers. Preventative sprays are applied to the trunks of cherries and peaches in late June and mid July. If it is a borer there are no good insecticides to penetrate the bark and kill the borer. If it is a borer you should try to dig it out with a knife and a paper clip. Borers can easily kill young trees. If you do go digging in the trunks use a diluted blech solution to sanitize the wound. Ditch the tree wrap which just provides a good place for the borers to hide. Paint the trunk with an Interior grade latex paint.
I attach links to the diseases and pests I have discu
Bacterial canker (blossom blast) - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
Peachtree borer - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
Lesser peachtree borer - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
American plum borer - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
Bill is busy so your question was assigned to me. My first thoughts when I read your description was Bacteria canker or a root problem. Usually when we have Bacterial canker we see gummosis, which is the jelly like substance in your most recent photo. Gummosis is a general stress response to a wound or infection in stone fruit trees much like you running a fever when you are sick. You say there are no marks on the trunk associated with the gumming. I think you should look harder. Wash the trunk and look for a canker associated with the gumming. A canker would be a sunken dark area.
The other possibility is a borer. There are 3 borers that attack stone fruit in Michigan. My guess is this is one of the peach tree borers. Preventative sprays are applied to the trunks of cherries and peaches in late June and mid July. If it is a borer there are no good insecticides to penetrate the bark and kill the borer. If it is a borer you should try to dig it out with a knife and a paper clip. Borers can easily kill young trees. If you do go digging in the trunks use a diluted blech solution to sanitize the wound. Ditch the tree wrap which just provides a good place for the borers to hide. Paint the trunk with an Interior grade latex paint.
I attach links to the diseases and pests I have discu
Bacterial canker (blossom blast) - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
Peachtree borer - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
Lesser peachtree borer - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
American plum borer - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)
