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What is this cherry pest? #872095

Asked June 07, 2024, 2:50 PM EDT

Hello, Our ornamental non-fruiting cherry tree has mostly terminal clusters of dead leaves (see photo) on many branches. Some living leaves have holes eaten in them. There are occasional tiny black beetles within the clusters, some of them possibly winged, along with a cottony substance. Visible on some branches are multiple tiny black dots and larger flattened circular objects that might be egg cases (see photo). I would appreciate it if you would please identify these and let me know what measures if any you suggest to control them. Thank you.

Lane County Oregon

Expert Response

The holes in the leaves look to be shothole fungus, a common disease of stone fruits. Spots on leaves first appear as small red spots that will then turn purple with a tan-white center. Eventually the center of the spot may fall out, leaving a shot-hole like appearance. There are non-chemical practices that will help prevent and manage shothole. Do not use overhead irrigation that wets the canopy of the tree. Use drip or micro sprinklers (or hand water). Prune out any infected or cankered shoots or branches. At the end of the season, rake up and destroy infected leaves. Shothole fungus requires two pesticide applications, the first at about 50% leaf fall (usually around Thanksgiving), and the second in the spring when petals fall. You will find a list of products approved for use in home orchards here: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/cherry-flowering-prunus-spp-shothole-coryneum-blight.

Based on the presence of the dead leaves and blossoms I see in the first photo, there may be brown rot blossom blight too (though I cannot confirm from the photo alone). please refer to the following to see if it matches what you are seeing with your tree: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/cherry-flowering-prunus-spp-brown-rot-blossom-blight.

I can’t quite tell what is happening in the second photo. I see yellowing and discolored leaves, some webbing and it looks like deformed spent flower clusters (?). If it is possible to drop off a plant sample at the OSU Extension office in Eugene (996 Jefferson St., Eugene, phone<personal data hidden>), the Master Gardener plant clinic can take a closer look at the symptoms and try to diagnose the problem.

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