When the tips of the branches die on the cherry, it is an infection with the Monilia laxa pathogen. Cherry tree disease is better known as lace drought.
Most often, the infection occurs during rainy weather, during or shortly after flowering. Then the affected branches wither abruptly and hang withered on the tree until winter. “Gum flow” is often noticed at the border of healthy wood. This is a resin-like, sticky substance that oozes from the wood.
Preventive measures against drought
If infection has occurred, remove all infected branches up to 20 cm into the healthy wood. Dispose of these in the residual waste or burn the branches. Do not throw them on the compost, because the spores flying around will infect the trees again.
Then you should “thin out” the affected tree: This involves cutting off branches that are growing inward and crossing branches that are on top of each other. The aim is to let as much light and air as possible into the crown. In this way, the leaves dry more quickly and infections are unlikely to occur.
With these prophylactic measures, you will achieve that the recurrence of infestation is very low, i.e. acceptable, and you can do without the chemical mace.
When planting a new cherry, you can immediately use the resistant sour cherry varieties. The following varieties are hardly affected by Monilia: ‘Morina’, ‘Karneol’, ‘Sa- fir’, ‘Favorit’, ‘Koröser Weichsel’ and ‘Ungarische Traubige’.
I have 30 years of experience and i started this website to see if i could try and share my knowledge to help you.
With a degree a Horticulture BSc (Hons)
I have worked as a horticulture specialist lead gardener, garden landscaper, and of course i am a hobby gardener at home in my own garden.
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