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Chokecherry Tree #880147

Asked August 04, 2024, 2:37 PM EDT

15 year old Tree flowered, is loaded with fruit and the berries are good(some have a brown dots).But the leaves are dotted with brown spots, turn yellow and fall off..It’s been really pretty and healthy years past ..This summer It’s very sad..

Montrose County Colorado

Expert Response

Here are a couple photos of the chokecherry tree..Some of the berries have little brown dots..The leaves have little holes and brown spots before they fall off of the tree..The bark on tree is good..No splits or cracks and no oozing.. Thank you!

The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2024, 11:06 AM EDT

Hello Renee,

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. Based upon your descriptions and photos, we feel there are two issues caused by a fungus.

Shot-hole Blight and Cherry Leaf Spot can be confused with each other. Both of these start out as small, chlorotic or purple to reddish spots that enlarge and turn brown and necrotic. Infections can increase with each episode of wet weather throughout the summer. 

Cherry Leaf Spot infections in spring are caused by ascospores from fruiting bodies that form on last year's fallen leaves. Shot-hole Blight infections begin in spring from overwintering fungus in infected buds and cankers. 

Management: Both can be controlled by sanitation, such as dormant pruning of bud-blasted and cankered wood and removal of leaves and other debris in the fall. Fungicides are not really needed in most areas, but can be used to suppress disease development Shot-hole Blight in the growing season and also during dormancy.

We have attached a document which explains in depth Cherry Leaf Spot & Shot-hole Blight. 

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/cherry-leaf-spot#:~:text=Cherry%20leaf%20spot%20starts%20out,together%20into%20larger%20dead%20patches.

We are also including another document about winter watering of trees. This approach will help minimize your tree's stress and as well as to maintain it's health for next season.  

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/

If you have additional questions, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Anne C. and Becky C.



Diagnostic Team Replied August 07, 2024, 4:21 PM EDT

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