Plant Disease Management Handbook

Cause Pratylenchus penetrans and P. vulnus. Root-lesion nematodes are migratory endoparasites where part of the population is in soil and part in roots at all times. Root-lesion nematode infection does not usually cause specific symptoms as damage is associated with high nematode numbers in the soil, decreasing root function and root death.

Image related to Cherry (Prunus spp.)-Nematode, Root-lesion

Note the circular pattern of stunted cherry seedlings in this field.

Photo by Harold Jenson, circa 1966 (c/o Russ Ingham)

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Cherry (Prunus spp.) - Bacterial Canker

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Cherry (Prunus spp.) - Rasp Leaf

This image shows a Xiphinema spp. juvenile. An identifying characteristic of this plant-parasitic nematode is multiple stylets where one is lost after each stage of molt. The stylet is used to feed on plant root tissue where the nematode can acquire and transmit viruses.

Catherine Wram, 2018.

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Cherry Cultivar Susceptibility

Image related to Cherry (Prunus spp.)-Necrotic Rusty Mottle (Lambert Mottle) and Rusty Mottle

Sweetheart cherries are also susceptible to Necrotic rusty mottle.

Jay W. Pscheidt, 2016.

Notice the necrotic lesions from this Corum cherry tree.

Photo by Iain MacSwann, 1975.

A chlorotic mottling develops on leaves which may also show variable chlorotic rings and patterns, ultimately taking on a late-summer yellow.

OSU Extension Plant Pathology Slide Collection, 1990.

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Cherry (Prunus spp.) - X-Disease

Cherry Cultivar Susceptibility

Notice the healthy branch on the top and diseased one on the bottom. Diseased branch is from a 'Lambert' tree which was inoculated from a positive Kwanzan tree.

OSU Extension Plant Pathology Slide Collection, 1956.

Cause Blumeriella jaapii (formerly Coccomyces hiemalis), a fungus.

Notice the sporulation of cherry leaf spot fungus in both leaf and stem lesions.

Photo by Jay W. Pscheidt, 1991.

Image related to Cherry (Prunus spp.)-Leaf Spot

Infected leaves turn yellow and fall off.

Haywood Photography, 2005.

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Cherry (Prunus spp.) - Virus-induced Cherry Decline

This declining tree was positive for Cherry leaf roll virus, Prune dwarf virus and Prunus necrotic ringspot virus. Note the stump on the left side of this image. These trees look normal in 2013 but were in decline or dead by 2016.

Jay W. Pscheidt, 2016.

Cause The normal abscission of fruits that occurs before pit hardening. Also called "Cherry Run Off" in Europe. A certain percentage of fruit will drop due to lack of fertilization. Some cultivars, such as Sweetheart, shed more than other cultivars and some years are worse than others. There are 3 stages of drop. The first occurs about 2 to 2.5 weeks after full bloom, the second about a week later, and the third drop of a relatively few fruit about 3 weeks after the second drop.

Cultivars, such as Sweetheart, shed more fruit than other cultivars.

Jay W. Pscheidt, 2019.

Image related to Cherry (Prunus spp.)-June Drop

Some cherries drop early from the tree prior to harvest.

Jay W. Pscheidt, 2016.

These cherries dropped early from the tree and typically are smaller, slightly dehydrated, discolored but not rotting and with green stems.

Part of the OSU Extension Plant Pathology collection, 2020.

Cause Mechanical injury, winter injury, chemical injury, insect damage, fungal diseases, or improper growing conditions. Gumming often follows brown rot, shothole (peach, apricot), or twig infections. Botryospheria spp and wood decay fungi can also result in gummosis (among other symptoms) and yield reductions of 12% to 22%.

Image related to Cherry (Prunus spp.)-Gumming

Note the amber colored, gooey globs around three of the nodes. The central glob is from a sunken, cankered area just under the bark.

Photo by Jay W. Pscheidt, 1997.

Note the clear resin oozing from this branch.

Photo by Iain MacSwann, 1967.

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Cherry (Prunus spp.) - Bacterial Canker

Image related to Cherry (Prunus spp.)-Dead Bud

These flower buds had just enough energy to push out slightly but have died due to Pseudomonas syringae.

Jay W. Pscheidt, 2009.

The cross-section through the stem shows the necrotic center of the buds that have not pushed out in the spring.

Photo by Jay W. Pscheidt, 1996.