We know that the cherry tree is somewhat delicate and can be affected by different pests and physical diseases of fruit trees if it is not cared for in good conditions. Even with this, you are prone to some classic diseases. Today we are going to talk about pests and cherry tree diseases to find out what your symptoms and possible treatments are.
Main characteristics of the cherry
Before knowing what are the diseases of the cherry tree, we are going to know its main characteristics. The cherry is a fruit that grows quickly and has little room for maneuver for the application of the different phytosanitary treatments for the pests and diseases that attack it. The treatments must be applied at an ideal time if we want to have fruits of the highest quality. Much of the care of this tree must be directed to deal with the possible pests and diseases present. That is, much of the care that the plant needs goes beyond the location, soil, irrigation, etc. But it is also important to carry out preventive activities for pests and diseases.
All of this makes it essential to combat pests preventively rather than eliminate them once they have attacked the tree. If you have several cherry trees planted in your field, it is advisable to follow the recommendations in the phytosanitary bulletins issued by the plant health services of the various autonomous communities. We can provide more information on cherry pests and diseases on the page dedicated to Cherry pests and diseases: characteristics and symptoms To learn more about their treatments and prevention, let's look at the different cherry tree pests and diseases.
Cherry tree pests
Let's begin by studying the main pests that attack this tree. Preventive and control treatments for these different pests are essential if we want to keep our trees in good condition. To produce these fruits with good quality, we must use various authorized control measures to combat pests and reduce damage. We can consult additional information on some of them. Cherry tree treatments and care in springAmong the main pests that affect the cherry tree are:
- Aphid: This is the most common pest in this type of fruit tree, and it has the greatest impact on the cherry. That is, it directly attacks the fruit and diminishes the product's quality. It's important to apply anti-aphid treatments at the right time, especially if you want to maintain good production. For this, we recommend consulting our guide on cherry cultivation and prevent its appearance.
- Moscow: The cherry fruit fly has a great capacity for adaptation. It is able to rapidly expand its area of influence. It affects early production areas and causes significant economic damage. Cherries become softer and their flavor deteriorates noticeably.
- Bighead worm: It can be quite serious if cherry trees suffer from water stress. Therefore, increased vigilance is necessary during periods of drought. Among the damage caused by the cherry tree worm, we see damage to the cherry trunk, as these larvae feed on the cambium and cause the leaves to shrink and dry out. Preventing this pest is essential, especially in young plantations. More information on cherry tree care prunus serrulata kanzan may be helpful in preventing serious attacks.
- Drosophila suzuki: It is one of the new and highly dangerous pests that attacks ripe cherries. Early detection and control are key to avoiding severe damage. To do so, review the pest management tips at cherry sunburst.
- San José louse: It's not too serious, although it can cause damage to your crops if not controlled in time. A simple and inexpensive treatment such as using winter oil helps control it. Also, check out strategies to keep your plants healthy. potted cherry trees.
- Cherry borer: It thrives best on trees with low vigor and causes severe damage when dried out. Prevention and proper maintenance of tree vigor are essential; more details in Burlat cherry.
Cherry tree diseases: fungi
We divide cherry tree diseases into fungal and bacterial, since they can attack in different ways. Aside from insect pests, fungal diseases have a major impact on cherry cultivation. To maintain good tree health, it is important to detect symptoms early and apply appropriate treatments, such as those recommended in the section on How to care for a cherry tree in springLet's see what the main cherry tree diseases of fungal origin are:
- Monica: It affects the blossom and fruit, damaging cherry production. This makes them unsuitable for sale. Losses can be substantial, especially in rainy years. Prevention and proper treatment in the early stages are essential to prevent its spread. To achieve this, it is recommended to maintain good hygiene and apply specific phytosanitary products.
- Anthracnose: Control treatments against Anthracnose are essential if we want to obtain good quality fruits. The disease not only affects the leaves, but also the fruit. Attacked, preventing its development and reducing the total vigor of the cherry tree.
- Screening: Also known as shot, it's a fungal disease that primarily attacks the leaves. It can affect cherries, producing spots and reducing their commercial value. Rotating preventative products helps control it.
- Gnomony: This disease increases the number of fruits affected by cracking, and can cause significant damage to the entire crop.
Cherry tree diseases: bacteria
As we mentioned before, we divided cherry tree diseases into fungal and bacterial diseases. Now let's analyze the diseases that attack cherry trees and are caused by bacteria. Early detection is key to avoiding further damage and maintaining the tree's health, so it's advisable to check the . The main bacterial diseases are:
- Xylella fastidiosa: a bacterium that not only affects cherry trees, but also other stone fruit trees such as olive trees, causing severe damage if not detected in time.
- Gums: It primarily affects areas with temperature fluctuations, infecting the trunk and producing the typical cherry gummosis. Prevention and control are essential to prevent its spread.
As you can see, most pests and diseases of the cherry tree can be prevented with some control methods. It is more important to prevent the disease than to try to eliminate it. Especially if you have a harvest objective to sell, we cannot allow the commercial value of the fruits to decrease.
