Cherry Leaf Spot is a dangerous fruit tree disease common in Pennsylvania. Call Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists at 610-840-2655 to find out whether your cherry trees have this condition and what you can do to combat it.
What is Cherry Leaf Spot?
Cherry Leaf Spot (Blumeriella jaapii) is a fungal disease that primarily attacks the leaves of the cherry tree. When cherry trees have this infection, their buds and wood are prone to winter injuries. Defoliation may happen before harvest time, keeping the fruit from maturing normally.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Cherry Leaf Spot is spotting on the upper sides of the leaves. The circular spots are very small and reddish-purple. As they mature, they turn reddish-brown and grow to 1/4 inch across. Underneath, the spots have white felt-like patches containing the fungus spores. Occasionally, the stippled areas may drop out and leave holes. Infected leaves may turn a shade of yellow and fall from the cherry tree.
Treatment
You can use fungicides to protect leaves if your trees have consistently dropped their leaves in September for the past several years. The Certified Arborist will start with the fungicide about two weeks after the blossoms emerge. The Certified Arborist will apply the fungicide at intervals suggested by the commercial packaging or according to their system.
Prevention
Orchard or backyard sanitation is a must. You should rake and compost all fallen leaves from cherry trees by October. This practice will disrupt the disease cycle because the fungus overwinters in fallen leaves.
Are You a Good Candidate for Cherry Leaf Spot Treatment?
If you have cherry trees affected by leaf spotting and poor harvests, you likely have Cherry Leaf Spots on your property and will need treatment from a professional. Call us to determine whether your cherry trees need intervention.
Why Choose Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists?
Our Certified Arborists know how to diagnose fungal and bacterial diseases and other conditions suffered by popular backyard trees. Our Arborists can take care of the most common issues and discover the reasons behind and treatment methods for obscure infections.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Leaf Spot
Here are several customer questions:
Which varieties of cherry does Cherry Leaf Spot affect the most?
Tart cherries are generally affected more than sweet cherries, though both types are vulnerable to the disease.
What varieties of tart cherries have the least vulnerability to Cherry Leaf Spot?
Meteor and Northstar are two of the least-affected tart cherries.
What types of fungicides will the arborist use?
The type of fungicide used varies by the type of infestation, but the most common types of medication used to treat Cherry Leaf Spot are Daconil (mycobutanil) and Captan.
Do weather conditions affect Cherry Leaf Spot?
Yes, Cherry Leaf Spot is at its worst in damp years.
Call Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists
Call Rick’s PHC Certified Arborists at 610-840-2655 to assess your cherry trees for Cherry Leaf Spot infection. We can help you combat this pernicious disease and produce beautiful blossoms and fruit.
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