Knowledgebase

Cherry tree problem #870766

Asked May 30, 2024, 12:56 PM EDT

My mature cherry tree was infected by a fungus two years ago. I had it pruned back and sprayed with a copper solution and last year it had very few cherries bur looked healthy. This year there was massive healthy looking blossom production and good cherry formation but now many of the cherries are turning red and shriveling up instead of ripening. Some of the leaves are showing small brown spots that go on to form perforations. Can you help me with a diagnosis and advice?

Linn County Oregon

Expert Response

It is hard to diagnose a problem without seeing photos of the symptoms. If you could send some photos that would be helpful.

The spots on the leaves sounds like shothole fungus (or Coryneum blight). 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://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/cherry-shothole-coryneum-blight/.

Shothole will cause spots to appear on the fruit, but they don’t cause it to shrivel up and die. That may be brown rot, bacterial canker, or it could be a pollination or watering issue. Also, keep in mind that cherry trees naturally drop fruit around June (referred to as ‘June drop’). Do you see yellowing leaves, or dieback of any branches or stems? Did you notice any symptoms on the blossoms in the spring? Do you see any cankers on the trunk or branches of the tree? What are your watering and fertilization practices? If you could send some photos of the symptoms and a response to the questions noted here, I will take another look at the case. You can also send photos and a description of the problem to the Lane County Master Gardener Plant Clinic (<personal data hidden>).

Thank you for your attention.  
This is an older tree that I do not water of fertilize.  The  blossoms phase was robust and the blossoms looked great. I so no branch die back and no cankers. I see a rare yellowing leaf if I look hard for them. I’ll send you a picture in a separate email to follow this.  

Best,
Tony

On Jun 3, 2024, at 4:07 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 04, 2024, 6:37 PM EDT
Hi Tony,
Just following up to let you know that I have not received the photos. You can either post them in response to this message, or send them to <personal data hidden>.
The photos showed a few small holes in the leaves and some shriveled up cherries that were turning red.  I don’t know why the email didn’t get to you. 
I am now seeing some cherries that are ripening normally and that’s very encouraging.
As such, I’m thinking that the loss of fruit was the natural dropping of it as you suggested. 
I had a landscaper look at the tree and he concurred that it was infected by a fungus.  He recommended copper spray next year, about in March, and perhaps a second dosing in April. The tree was pruned in the spring of 2023 and I think more of the central branches need to be thinned out after this season. 


Thanks for your help. 

Tony Pappas 

On Jun 10, 2024, at 2:51 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2024, 12:27 PM EDT
Ok, if using a fungicide to control shothole fungus (the brown spots that turn into perforations), you need two applications. Apply copper at about 50% leaf fall (before heavy rains to protect leaf scars), and then use chlorothalonil in the spring at petal fall. You can find a pest management guide for home orchardists at this link: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-631-managing-diseases-insects-home-orchards, and for more on general management (pruning, fertilizing, irrigation, etc.), refer to: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-819-growing-tree-fruits-nuts-home-orchard.
Great! I printed up your last email and will file it and also downloaded the management guides to my Kindle collection. 

Thank you for your attention and help. 
Tony Pappas 

On Jun 12, 2024, at 12:16 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2024, 10:22 PM EDT

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