How to treat cherry tree shot hole disease by root drenching - Ask Extension
I have a large mature Kwanza cherry tree, about 20 yrs. old that is confirmed to have cherry shot hole disease. I have been advised to treat it wit...
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How to treat cherry tree shot hole disease by root drenching #860292
Asked March 02, 2024, 9:16 AM EST
I have a large mature Kwanza cherry tree, about 20 yrs. old that is confirmed to have
cherry shot hole disease. I have been advised to treat it with a fungicide root drench, as it is too large to spray.
After it lost all of its leaves prematurely late last summer, I raked them up and removed them from the premises, and am now ready to begin with the treatment.
Will this work? I have read several discouraging articles.
Exactly what fungicide should I apply?
Other tips...?
Madison County Alabama
Expert Response
Good morning,
Shot hole is a fairly common bacterial disease. I wouldn’t be too discouraged. Trees can live several years without treatment, especially since your tree is an ornamental. Fruit bearing trees are typically the ones that have no hope, because when the tree sheds prematurely it affects the growth of fruit thus resulting in crop loss.
I digress. A drench fungicide can be hard to come by since there are so few available. I suggest you treat with a copper fungicide routinely. Copper based fungicides aid in preventing bacterial diseases. You can spray prior to and after petal fall. Just don’t spray when the trees are in bloom. Another consideration would be to treat the trunk of the tree in addition to the branches.
Continue to keep the area around the tree clean. That’s a great preventative measure!
https://fff.hort.purdue.edu/article/shot-hole-disease/
Shot hole is a fairly common bacterial disease. I wouldn’t be too discouraged. Trees can live several years without treatment, especially since your tree is an ornamental. Fruit bearing trees are typically the ones that have no hope, because when the tree sheds prematurely it affects the growth of fruit thus resulting in crop loss.
I digress. A drench fungicide can be hard to come by since there are so few available. I suggest you treat with a copper fungicide routinely. Copper based fungicides aid in preventing bacterial diseases. You can spray prior to and after petal fall. Just don’t spray when the trees are in bloom. Another consideration would be to treat the trunk of the tree in addition to the branches.
Continue to keep the area around the tree clean. That’s a great preventative measure!
https://fff.hort.purdue.edu/article/shot-hole-disease/
My tree is too large to treat with spray.
Is your advice to apply a copper fungicide routinely intended to guide me in drenching?
What copper fungicide do you recommend, and how should I use it?
Good morning,
There are several options for copper fungicide. Most box stores and feed & seed stores carry a copper-based fungicide. Brands include, but limited to: Bonide, Southern Ag, and Monterey.
As I mentioned earlier, I don't believe there is a drench fungicide to meet your need. I consulted with our Commercial Horticulture Agent who advises our stone fruit growers in Chilton County. He has stated that a drench application is only beneficial for soil borne diseases. Shot hole fungus is not a soil borne disease and would therefore need spray applications.
I know drenches are easy to apply but will not prove beneficial to controlling shot hole fungus.
There are several options for copper fungicide. Most box stores and feed & seed stores carry a copper-based fungicide. Brands include, but limited to: Bonide, Southern Ag, and Monterey.
As I mentioned earlier, I don't believe there is a drench fungicide to meet your need. I consulted with our Commercial Horticulture Agent who advises our stone fruit growers in Chilton County. He has stated that a drench application is only beneficial for soil borne diseases. Shot hole fungus is not a soil borne disease and would therefore need spray applications.
I know drenches are easy to apply but will not prove beneficial to controlling shot hole fungus.
