A splendor of pink-white to pink-red flowers in spring can quickly become a tragedy if the flowers fall off prematurely. But other symptoms can also appear if the Japanese cherry tree is attacked by diseases…

A solid base can be shaken

The Japanese ornamental cherry is usually robust. But if there are nutrient deficiencies, if it is under stress or if it does not like its location, it becomes susceptible to diseases. Therefore, everything should be thought through carefully when planting in order to prevent later diseases.

Potential problem #1: Shotgun disease

Shotgun disease is one of the most common diseases affecting Japanese cherry trees. It is the fungal pathogen called Stigmina carpophila that can make life difficult and become a nuisance.

First bright spots appear on the leaves. They will turn reddish a few days later. Then red-rimmed holes develop from them until the leaves fall off. The name of the disease comes from the fact that the leaves look like they have been riddled with buckshot. The cause of this disease can be care errors and damp weather.

What you can do:

  • remove affected leaves
  • Prune affected shoots back to healthy wood
  • burn or dispose of the waste (not on the compost!)
  • if necessary, spray with a decoction of field horsetail and water
  • Prevention: Apply a layer of mulch, plant the area with onions and garlic

Potential problem #2: Monilia peak drought

Monilia can be infested during and after the flowering period. The result: the flowers die off and dry up. When the flowering is over, the fungus will spread to the wood and leaves… Here's how to do it:

  • Cut off all affected branches (up to about 15 cm into the healthy wood)
  • Incinerate or dispose of waste

Other diseases

In addition to peak drought and shotgun diseases, there are other diseases that can afflict this plant if not cared for. But this usually happens in the rarest of cases. The following diseases can occur:

  • bacterial burn
  • tree cancer
  • Gnomonia
  • scab

tips and tricks

In order to keep the risk of fungal diseases low, the Japanese ornamental cherry should be thinned out regularly. Due to the free space created in the crown, rainwater on the wood and the leaves evaporates faster and fungi don't stand a chance.

Category:

Trees