Leaf wilt on flowering cherry tree - Ask Extension
What is causing the leaves to die on my flowering cherry treee?
Knowledgebase
Leaf wilt on flowering cherry tree #872100
Asked June 07, 2024, 3:13 PM EDT
What is causing the leaves to die on my flowering cherry treee?
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
There are many cherry tree pests and diseases, and more detective work is needed to narrow down possible causes of this symptom on yours.
Share an overall photo of the tree in its surroundings. What % of branch tips show this damage? Is the damage evenly distributed through the tree canopy? Located on one side, and if so, which direction does the bad side face?
Did you see freeze or frost damage on plants in your landscape this spring? How did the tree bloom this year? Especially, did petals brown early? Flowers dry stuck on the branches? Did you have this dieback last year?
Examine the branch where it changes from alive to dead. Do you see cankers or gumming? Cankers are generally sunken areas on the bark, and if it circles the twig then tissue beyond it dies. Share a photo of what you find.
If we can’t make a firm suggestion of the cause, and this is a high value tree in your landscape, hire a certified arborist to make a site visit, which we can’t do.
Share an overall photo of the tree in its surroundings. What % of branch tips show this damage? Is the damage evenly distributed through the tree canopy? Located on one side, and if so, which direction does the bad side face?
Did you see freeze or frost damage on plants in your landscape this spring? How did the tree bloom this year? Especially, did petals brown early? Flowers dry stuck on the branches? Did you have this dieback last year?
Examine the branch where it changes from alive to dead. Do you see cankers or gumming? Cankers are generally sunken areas on the bark, and if it circles the twig then tissue beyond it dies. Share a photo of what you find.
If we can’t make a firm suggestion of the cause, and this is a high value tree in your landscape, hire a certified arborist to make a site visit, which we can’t do.
