Fruit turns yellow or red and drops from Northstar Cherry tree after blooming. - Ask Extension
Why do all of the cherries turn yellow or red and drop from my Northstar Cherry tree after the fruit sets? There was good production for a couple of y...
Knowledgebase
Fruit turns yellow or red and drops from Northstar Cherry tree after blooming. #872692
Asked June 11, 2024, 6:55 PM EDT
Why do all of the cherries turn yellow or red and drop from my Northstar Cherry tree after the fruit sets? There was good production for a couple of years, but for the last few years, all of the fruit has fallen off instead of growing to maturity. I am not certain, but there may be sting, egg deposit, or bites into the flesh of the tiny fruits.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Dots or "sting marks" on fruit suggests that the cherries are being damaged by curculios. These tiny weevils infest cherries and a number of other garden fruits before or shortly after fruit set. Damaged fruit often falls prematurely.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/three-key-fruit-pests-look-june
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/three-key-fruit-pests-look-june
