Cherry: Bacterial canker

Biology

Bacterial canker is favored by cool, wet weather and is common in western Washington. The bacteria overwinter in cankers, buds and other host tissues. Dark cankered areas on trunks and branches may develop and expand in early spring. The infected tissues may produce gum, although gumming can also be caused by other factors. The cankers often girdle twigs and branches, causing dieback above the lesion. Leaves on girdled twigs often yellow and fall by late summer. Infected buds may be killed or leaf infections may occur as the new growth emerges resulting in collapse of leaves. Infection can be spread by wind, rain, insects, pruning tools, or by planting or grafting with infected stock. The disease may spread throughout the entire tree (systemic infection) with or without visible symptoms.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Mazzard rootstock F12-1 and cultivars ‘Corum’, ‘Sam’, and ‘Sue’ are disease-resistant.
• Provide proper culture.
• Avoid overhead watering.
• Avoid injury. Do not plant where frost damage is likely.
• Prune out and destroy infected tissues during dry weather. Make cuts well below visible canker and sterilize tools frequently. Do not remove cankers at the same time as regular pruning.
• Burn or cut out cankers on branches or trunks. Cauterizing should be done in the spring prior to bloom. Check cauterized areas for continued bacterial activity 15-20 days later.
• Remove severely infected trees.
• Control weeds, which may serve as a source of bacteria.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• Focus on cultural management first.
• If you supplement with chemical control, make one application in October during leaf fall prior to fall rains.
• Then make a second application in early January.
• Products containing copper may have limited efficacy due to resistance.
• Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall.
• Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.

Approved Pesticides

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.

• Bonide Liquid Copper Fungicide Concentrate/Organic Gardening
  Active ingredient: copper octanoate [EPA registration number: 67702-2-4]
• Monterey Liqui-Cop Copper Fungicidal Garden Spray
  Active ingredient: copper-ammonia complex [EPA registration number: 54705-7]
• Soap-Shield Flowable Liquid Copper Fungicide [Organic]
  Active ingredient: copper octanoate [EPA registration number: 67702-2-56872]
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.

Additional Images