Poor little weeping minature cherry tree

greenmaid

This tree is about 4 yrs.old and before the magnificent blossom it had a few bits of gum oozing from a couple of branches which I removed.  Now 50% of the leaves have died off although there are new ones appearing on some of the branches.  Advise needed please.   My idea is to wait 'till June/July and then cut back the branches to the new leaves - is this wise?

Alina W

Yes, it is.

It sounds like your tree has canker - look here for description and treatment options.

greenmaid

Thanks Alina, I will try to save it.

Janet 4

Thanks. At last someone in agreement with what I have said a couple of times on this forum. The problem arrived on a young internet buy Apricot tree with us. Now my 5 year old almond is nearly dead from it. Was planted within a few yards of the Apricot.  You have scared me now, as we have 2 miniature cherry trees in the garden. Some distance away admittedly. Will it attack a miniature weeping willow please, as that is the nearest to the affected site, and will it spread through bark under these affected trees?

Gloucestergirl13

I have a miniature weeping willow tree & cherry blossom tree close together. Will they affect each others performance? Thanks x

Alina W

The canker that affects cherries is specific to prunus species, so cherries, plums, apricots, peaches etc., although there are other cankers that will affect other trees.

The infecting agent is found on the surface of leaves and can enter through the leaf pores; cankers develop when the same bacteria gain access to the tree via the holes left by fallen leaves at leaf fall or wounds in the bark. Hence no, the infection does not travel under the bark. It is important, however, not to spread the infection by pruning trees without cleaning the secateurs/cutters carefully between trees and between cuts.