Caring for a tree can be a challenging task, and there are a whole lots of processes involved. In this piece, we are going to walk you through common weeping cherry tree diseases, how to identify and what the solutions are.
Weeping cherry trees are magnificent, with pink and white flowers, which give a fountain-like shape and enhance the beauty of nature. So this beauty should be protected when it gets sick, right?
Like any other living thing, this weeping cherry tree is also disease-prone. To keep this tree beautiful, it needs proper care and maintenance. But you don’t have to worry because caring for this tree is not difficult.
We will discuss here the diseases weeping cherry trees suffer from and their treatment procedures. So let’s get started without any further delay.
Common Weeping Cherry Tree Diseases
Weeping cherry trees face the same problems and suffer from diseases just like humans. As a caretaker, you must know about the common diseases of this tree. This is the first step in taking care of the tree. Below we have explained some diseases to help you understand better.
1. Verticillium Wilt
This is a fungal disease that affects weeping cherry trees. Plants and trees widely face this disease. It is caused by a soil fungus called “Verticillium dahliae or Verticillium albo-atrum.” It enters from the roots and spreads throughout, causing wilting and yellowing of leaves. This disease also leads to death.
2. Black Knot
Black knot disease is caused by the fungus “Apiosporina morbosa.” It grows slowly within a season and produces spores. It infects the twigs causing light brown swelling. The knot finally develops and becomes black, hard, and rough.
3. Brown Rot
Brown rot is caused by the fungus called “Monilinia fructicola and Monilinia laxa.” The spores are carried by rain, wind, or insects. It affects the blossoms and the fruits. Brown spots are visible over the surface, and spores on the rotten parts.
4. Cherry Leaf Spot
The cherry leaf spot is caused by the fungi “Blumeriella jaapii.” This is common during the summer season. You can see purple spots on the leaves that eventually turn brown. This leads to the discoloration and death of leaves. The bacteria can spread from one affected part to another.
5. Crankers
This disease leads to drying and death of the branches. It is a common disease, and a healthy tree can remain undamaged. Rain and wind carry the spores and infect the area. It can lead to sunburn and insects.
6. Necrotic Ringspot
This is caused by the fungus “Ophiosphaerella korrae.” It can lead to browning and yellowing of leaves. It occurs at the beginning of summer, and you can see holes in the leaves. It can spread to other areas of the tree and infect them.
7. Powdery Mildew
This disease is caused by the fungus “Podosphaera xanthii.” It is a common disease that damages leaves, fruits, and flowers. The bacteria produce a white substance covering the cherry tree’s parts. It can lead to slow growth of the trees and curling of leaves.
How to Identify Weeping Cherry Tree Diseases?
As mentioned earlier, weeping cherry trees can suffer diseases if not cared for. You learned about the diseases the tree faced, and now you need to understand how to identify these diseases. It will show symptoms when it suffers from a disease or if any bacteria has infected it. You need to focus on those symptoms.
The most common symptoms are:
- Black and hard knots
- Swellings
- Rotten twigs
- Browning and yellowing of leaves, fruits, and flowers
- Purple/red spots on leaves
- Developing dry cankers
- Wilting of leaves and branches
- Hole on the leaves
- Frequent falling of dead branches
If you see any of these signs in your weeping cherry tree, then it’s an alert signal. Avoiding symptoms like these can harm the tree and lead to its death. Always check the tree during watering, and look for any damage or swellings so you can take preventive measures beforehand.
After identifying the problems, the next step will be the treatment of these diseases. So, let’s dive into that.
How to Treat Weeping Cherry Tree Disease?
We spoke about the diseases and their symptoms. Now it’s time to understand the treatment for these diseases. You do not have to call an expert unless the disease is severe. By taking corrective measures, the spreading of diseases can be prevented. Let’s know the treatment of each of the diseases mentioned above individually.
1. Verticillium Wilt
There is no particular cure for this disease. Pruning the affected branches can help to stop the fungus from spreading to the weeping cherry tree.
2. Black Knot
It can be treated by pruning the infected area and a few more inches up and below during dormancy. After this, burn the infected part to prevent it from spreading. Sterilize your pruning equipment frequently.
3. Brown Rot
Once spread, it is challenging to cure brown rot disease. The best way is to prune the infected area with the proper equipment. Another option is using fungicides to remove it.
4. Cherry Leaf Spot
You can treat this disease by removing and burning all the affected leaves. It will help to stop it from spreading and affecting other trees. Using fungicides is also a good option.
5. Crankers
Pruning the infected area and removing the dead tissues can help treat the disease. However, there isn’t any proper treatment for Crankers.
6. Necrotic Ringspot
The best option is to remove the diseased tree. But using fungicides and pruning can also help.
7. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew can be treated by using fungicides. However, a few homemade remedies can also help.
Treat your trees with these steps to keep them healthy and beautiful. Weeping cherry tree needs prior treatment when affected by these diseases.
FAQ’s
Ans: A few cherry tree pests are Leaf miners, Alphides, Beetles, Spider mites, Borers, etc.
Ans: There are various treatment methods. Some common treatments are pruning, using fungicides, thinning, etc.
Ans: Blumeriella jaapii causes this disease. It leads to the discoloration and death of leaves. You need to remove and burn the infected leaves and parts.
Ans: It is a short-lived tree. It lives around ten to twenty-five years. If appropriately cared for, they can survive for long.
Conclusion
The weeping cherry tree blossoms beautifully and is a sight to behold. However, it needs proper care and attention to survive and grow. As an owner, it is your responsibility to look after the tree. Diseases are expected for this tree and can lead to death if not properly maintained.
We hope this article helped you to understand the diseases a weeping cherry tree suffers and their treatment. Now it will be easier for you to identify the problems and to treat them accordingly so your tree can be healthy and safe.