Protecting Cherry Trees from Fungus

Question: Customer wants to protect his cherry trees he's having delivered to his home this week.  Most all of the trees in his neighborhood is infected with a fungus and it is killing the trees in his neighborhood.  Can you tell him what this fungus is and how to treat it?  He does not want his new cherry trees infected with this fungus.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 25, 2023, 11:50 AM EDT
response: Hello  From the photos you have uploaded, it looks like the trees have lichens which are a good thing to have on trees.  They are actually an algae and a fungus living symbiotically.  If trees don't have lichens, it's likely because there is polluted air. Here is an MSU Extension article that explains more:  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_lichens_and_what_are_they_doing_on_my_tree

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 25, 2023, 12:07 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much for the quick response.  You are all great!!!    Joanne   Joanne Silvia Office Manager MSU Extension – Saginaw County Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital Center of Hope 723 Emerson Street Saginaw, MI  48607 Phone: 989.907-6520 Email: <personal data hidden>          MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.   Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 11:51 AM To: Silvia, Joanne <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Protecting Cherry Trees from Fungus (#0097022)

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 02, 2023, 10:19 AM EDT
response: Good Morning,   Our customer says that all of the trees exposed to this organism is losing their bark and are dying.  He thinks the organism has been misidentified as it does not appear to be beneficial.  It is his understanding that lichen is a strand like plant that grows like a beard, and these are more of a fleshy polyp or bubble.  He says he could be wrong, but something is killing the trees.  Sean Taylor’s contact information is below:   Phone: <personal data hidden> Email:    <personal data hidden>   Thanks for your help.   Joanne   Joanne Silvia Office Manager MSU Extension – Saginaw County Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital Center of Hope 723 Emerson Street Saginaw, MI  48607 Phone: 989.907-6520 Email: <personal data hidden>          MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.   Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 11:32 AM To: Silvia, Joanne <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Thank you for your Ask Extension question (#0097022)       Dear Joanne, Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online. YOUR QUESTION #0097022: Protecting Cherry Trees from Fungus Customer wants to protect his cherry trees he's having delivered to his home this week. Most all of the trees in his neighborhood is infected with a fungus and it is killing the trees in his neighborhood. Can you tell him what this fungus is and how to treat it? He does not want his new cherry trees infected with this fungus.  Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States. If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.   This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.