Brown rot on sour cherry tree - Ask Extension
I read your information on brown rot and think I have it on my Northstar cherry tree. I came back from a vacation and picked cherries Sunday and Mond...
Knowledgebase
Brown rot on sour cherry tree #875020
Asked June 27, 2024, 5:37 PM EDT
I read your information on brown rot and think I have it on my Northstar cherry tree. I came back from a vacation and picked cherries Sunday and Monday. They were good, not even many worms. Then came to pick some more Wednesday and today. Almost every cherry is soft and squishy, a few have that little look of fungus I saw in the picture. So I assume I have brown rot. I plan to pick and compost all the fruit, pick up any on the ground. I don’t see branch damage or dead leaves. I have a few questions.
1. can this tree be saved?
2. Are the cherries I picked, pitted and froze Sunday and Monday OK to eat.
3. I have a second meteor cherry which is later, just turning red. They are about 15 feet apart. Is it likely to have problems too?
4. I have had cherry trees for many years and have never seen this before. I just talked with a friend who has the same problem. Is it more common this year?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
It may not be brown rot but a combination of the early spring and very wet weather. Watch for signs of disease on the branches. You are right on sanitation being very important, picking up and destroying the soft cherries, etc. You could use a fungicide in the early spring at first sign of green tip. What you are seeing is, unfortunately, quite common this year. Take preventative measures next spring and watch for a repeat of symptoms.
