Wild cherry death

[Bradley]

Friend of mine has a 15"dbh wild cherry that suddenly lost it's leaves starting last july. There is some black staining at bottom of trunk from about knee high down to ground. Would anyone know what type of disease has affected this tree and would there be a possibility of the disease affecting other trees in the area? What course of treatment and could new plantings be affected.

Thanks, Bradley.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Bradley
black staining at bottom of trunk from about knee high down to ground. What course of treatment and could new plantings be affected.

Bacterial infections common in Prunus. If P. serotina, it's a the southern limit of its range due to them.

For others, retain lower branches to protect trunk, mulch and ensure drainage to protect roots. these diseases are pretty host-specific so non-Prunus plants shouldn't be affected.