Knowledgebase
Juneberry treee #873825
Asked June 19, 2024, 4:51 PM EDT
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
I need more information to help you.
I need a picture of the whole bush, a close up of a diseased branch and leaves and then cutting a 1/2 inch diseased branch, I would like a photo of a cross section.
On Jun 19, 2024, at 5:32 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I cannot even attempt an answer to your question without seeing a picture of the tree. I also need a cross section shot of a non-fruiting branch.
Here is some information from our colleagues in Michigan. https://www.michigangardener.com/why-doesnt-my-serviceberry-shrub-amelanchier-canadensis-ever-produce-berries/#:~:text=They%20are%20self%2Dfertile%20and,certain%20age%20before%20bearing%20fruit.
Here is some more inforamttions from Toronto. https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/askagardener/serviceberry-very-few-berries/
The plant disease clinic may be able to help you. https://pdc.umn.edu/
On Jun 19, 2024, at 9:19 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
On Jun 19, 2024, at 10:26 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The cross section of the branch was helpful in that it did not show a fungal infection.
The closs up of the fruit show malformed
https://cpg.treefruit.wsu.edu/fruit-and-leaf-injury/ , deeply scarred, small fruit, that are probably dtopping early.
All of this is compatible with herbicide toxicity. The tree should survive and heal if the roots are not saturated with the chemical.
Do you have any idea which herbicide was used?
On Jun 20, 2024, at 12:57 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
On Jun 20, 2024, at 12:57 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I did not assume that you used herbicide. Herbicides drift from farms to gardens, lawns to gardens, from commercial properties as across the street, and so on. With the lightest brease, aerosolized herbicides do not know any border.
The cross section of the branch does not look like fungal infection.
Crabs live about 40-60 years. Perhaps old age.
The injury to fruit and leaf and your comment that only one branch is bearing fruit suggests and asymmetric exposure. I am passing this off to a U Professor who may do better than I.
Thanks for your question. It was assigned to me earlier today.
Unfortunately I am unable to provide you an answer in which I would have full confidence. I can only speculate.
My best guess is with the very warm days in late February and early March in your area, flower buds on your Juneberry tree were induced to break dormancy. During these months, Hennepin County recorded close to record high temperatures. Then in April, there were nights in which temperatures were close to freezing, sometimes even less so. The flower buds previously formed were adversely affected. These effects can range from the complete destruction of the flower bud (no fruit production) to unusual development of flowers (fruit with strange appearances). You observed both. See:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/assessing_frost_and_freeze_damage_to_flowers_and_buds_of_fruit_trees
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/how-will-warm-winter-affect-my-plants
https://blog.davey.com/freeze-and-thaw-damage-on-trees/
For 25 years you have had steady production on your Juneberries. However, the temperature extremes exhibited over the 2023-24 winter in Minnesota were unlike what is considered normal for us. Hopefully the 2024-25 winter will be more like we’ve experienced in the past and you will have a bountiful crop in 2025.
Good Luck. Thanks for consulting our forum.
