Problem with Cherry Trees

Question: I have 2 cherry trees.  Both have what appears to be black or brown rot.  Can you confirm, and recommend treatment?  Thankd

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 13, 2023, 12:49 PM EDT
response: I have two cherry trees.  Both appear to have black/brown rot.  Can you confirm/recommend treatment?  Thanks

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 15, 2023, 1:10 PM EDT
response: Hi,  Are these ornamental flowering cherries? It does appear to be brown rot. This is relatively new to flowering cherry trees and there isn't a specific treatment that is recommended at this time. You can try to prune out the infected stems to the healthy sections.  If it is a fruiting cherry you can refer to our Cherry Disease Page for treatment recommendations. At this time of year it is usually too late but you can approach it again later in the fall. For more detailed information, you can stick to the spray schedule for home fruit from Virginia Tech (Cherry treatments start on page 16).  You may want to try a fungicide spray even for ornamental cherries. You can search for a product with the active ingredient 'myclobutanil fungicide' usually it will be called Spectricide Immunox (most easily obtained for home owners - however an internet search could lead to other brand names). You will want to read the label directions carefully and make sure you have proper equipment and PPE (protection) before applying. Also make sure the label lists for ornamental cherries, but from our research it shows that it does.  Let us know if you have further questions about this.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 15, 2023, 2:21 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Emily. EdSent from my iPhone On May 15, 2023, at 1:11 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 15, 2023, 2:38 PM EDT
response: you're welcome!

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 15, 2023, 2:59 PM EDT
response: Hi--They are ornamental cherry trees.  However, I'm having trouble getting to the Va. Tech page.  It looks like a link in your email, but isn't working as one.  Could you please send me the link again? Thanks.Ed LawOn Mon, May 15, 2023 at 2:15 PM Edmund Law <<personal data hidden>> wrote:Thank you, Emily. EdSent from my iPhoneOn May 15, 2023, at 1:11 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 15, 2023, 3:02 PM EDT
response: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/73906/Section03-Home-Fruit-Disease-and-Insects.pdf?sequence=1  Sorry about that- this should work.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 15, 2023, 3:32 PM EDT
response: Thank you. It did. EdSent from my iPhone On May 15, 2023, at 3:02 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 16, 2023, 9:05 AM EDT
response: you're welcome!

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 17, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT
response: So, two follow-up questions. 1.  The materials talk about trimming trigs back to healthy tissue.  I've got lengthy branches where the leaves have shriveled up along the entire length of the branch.  Should the entire branch come off?  The tree will be fairly thinned out if I do.2.  Can you recommend the timing for spraying an ornamental cherry with the fungicide you mentioned?  We're several weeks past full bloom, so I can't spray before or immediately after this year.  Should I do it now?  Wait for the fall?  Next year?Thanks.Ed LawOn Mon, May 15, 2023 at 1:11 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 18, 2023, 9:52 AM EDT
response: Hi Ed,  If you can prune with out taking more than 1/3 of the tree, that is recommended. Yes it is too late this year to spray so you will need to wait until next spring. The VT link does say for fruiting cherry to spray in the fall.  You can often find the label for products online and can read about how and when to apply (this is for Immunox if you choose that product) . You would want to start in early spring before the blooms open. Washington State University as some further information and also recommends Lime Sulfur or Copper fungicide. Again, just read label directions before applying and if it isn't specifically listed for flowering Cherry, you can test a section first before applying to the whole plant.  -Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 18, 2023, 2:16 PM EDT
response: Thank you again. EdOn Thu, May 18, 2023 at 9:52 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 19, 2023, 10:43 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.