Cherry: Verticillium wilt

Biology

Verticillium wilt is caused by a soilborne fungus. It infects via the roots and then spreads throughout the plant. Aboveground symptoms include suddenly wilted yellow or brown foliage which hangs on the branches and dieback of twigs and branches. Symptoms of infection are often on only one side of the tree or scattered throughout the canopy, but may not be noticed until warm weather or other periods of stress. Disease symptoms usually first appear near the ground and progress upward. Affected branches typically show dark streaking in the xylem. Affected trees may die or gradually recover. Young trees are more seriously affected.

Management Options

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

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Prune and destroy infected limbs. Disinfect pruning tools after use.
• Avoid heavy irrigation, high levels of nitrogen fertilizer, or other cultural practices which force trees into excessive succulent growth.
• Replant in contaminated soil only with non-susceptible plant species.
• Plant disease-free stock.
• Remove severely infected trees, if desired.

Chemical Management

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

• None recommended.