Cherry Tree Dilemna/Dilemma

GardenForums.com a friendly and growing community of gardeners. We feature a Garden Discussion Forum and Garden Photo Gallery. It's a fun and friendly place to talk with other gardeners, ask questions, share you knowledge, view and post photos and more! Whether you're a master gardener, or brand new to the hobby, you'll find something of interest here.



palmettogal

New Member
Weird word...I was taught to spell it with an "N", which spell-check does NOT like, so I googled and there is boatload of discussion about the proper spelling. Who knew?

Oh well, back to the issue at hand...one half of my Kwanzan Cherry is dead. The other half appears healthy. I sure hate to dig up anything that has life left in it but no point in prolonging the agony if the healthy half of this tree is not able to sustain itself over time. What do you guys think? Hope the attachments work!

CherryTree 002 edit.jpg

CherryTree 001.jpg

Not sure if the trunk damage is man made or due to some biological cause.
 

Kya D

Active Member
Here's my thought.
If the healthy side of the tree is BELOW the graft then it won't grow true to the Kwanzan
at that point I would probably get rid of it because you have no clue what the root stock is. But if it is above the graft then I would cut away the dead and see what happens with the healthy half.
Well there is my opinion and Ron will probably know better
 

RonsGarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Peach tree/cherry tree borer!
The lifted bark is a sure sign their in their tunnelling between the wood and the outer bark! They feed on the live sapwood between the wood and bark making tunnels as they feed!
Best to cut off the infected parts down to good wood!
Half is better then none!
Check out the good side and look for the same damage. If you find any use a piece of a metal coat hanger to probe around under the bark!
Spraying will not kill the larvae under the bark so you have to do it manually with the end of a coat hanger!
Here's the scoop on this pest:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05566.html
 
Last edited:

palmettogal

New Member
Thanks Kya and Ron. I was researching images online earlier and came across the borer as the likely problem. I sure hate that! I will print out the publication you mention and get to work on it when I get home. And yes, Ron, I do have a few metal coat hangers that I keep around for things that plastic just can't do! Knew I saved them for a reason.

If I cut down to good wood, will I need to protect the wound?
 


Gardenforums.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Top