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Aphids on fruit tree

ManderMander Posts: 349
in Problem solving
There is a small mystery fruit tree in my garden that is being ravaged by aphids. I have not been able to figure out what kind of tree it is because in two years it has never flowered. It's something in the cherry/plum family but that's about all I know. All of the growing tips have started to wither because they are totally covered in aphids. I cut back most of the branches that were the worst affected but why is this tree so susceptible to them? I haven't noticed them on any of the other plants. 

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    But why would you have to actually cut branches just for an aphid infestation? Sounds too radical. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • ManderMander Posts: 349
    They were really covered. Totally black with aphids. Branch might be too big a word for this though as the tree is really only a sapling, maybe 2 inch diameter at most, so the branches are more like twigs. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Did you try any soapy spray on them or squash them? They're pretty easy to kill...
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • ManderMander Posts: 349
    Have to admit that I was too lazy to deal with the whole tree! Every stem was covered. I've attached some photos for a better idea of what I'm talking about. 

    I suppose the real question is whether this tree is worth trying to save. I'm not sure where it came from and although I have vague ideas about creating an espalier along the fence I don't actually know if it's suitable for that. 
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    Aphids love cherry trees. They usually come every year but as to your question why it is so susceptible - there could be an answer there. When the aphids come they always attack my weakest tree first. My healthiest can fight off the aphids by themselves and I've never had to intervene but newly planted trees and rootbound trees usually get attacked.

    The aphids can do a lot of damage but if the soil it is planted in is poor then it will never grow well anyway. So probably both doing no good leading to no fruit.

    What you definetely should do is invest in some bug clear ultra available from homebase, b'n'q or Wilko.

    It kills the aphids on contact and prevents reinfestation for a couple of months afterwards. I just sprayed my currants beginning of the year as an infestation was starting, even now 2 months later the infected leaves have grown yellow and deformed but the aphids never came back. They would have done a lot more damage if I had left them. 

    Some people like to have a weak tree to offer as sacrifice to the aphids, I'd rather not have them anywhere near but they always come back so a good old cheap bottle of bug clear keeps them away. B'n'Q also sell a concentrated version for roughly £8 which might seem expensive but it makes up to 200 times more than the ready made spray bottle so works out very cheap long term. 

  • ManderMander Posts: 349
    Ah, so this might actually be a cherry then? That would be good if I can revive the poor thing. I don't think the soil is poor here as other stuff seems to grow no problem, but it is a bit dry due to the horrible leylandii next to it that I hope to have removed soon. Maybe I'll try to get some spray and see if it helps. 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Agree @mrtjforman a stressed tree will be less capable to recover from any form of attack. I find neem oil does a good enough job to not have to resort to anything stronger...but yes as a last resort bug clear ultra works. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited May 2020
    Infestations that bad are usually a sign the tree is already stressed in other ways, and/or is the result of ants 'farming' them.  As you mention you don't know where the tree came from, it is probably a wild cherry gifted by a bird so may be worthless as a fruiting tree.  Cherries don't train well, either.  Personally, I would take it out and replace with something else which will bear fruit that you know you'll like (and won't all get eaten by birds, which is the case on every cherry tree that I've ever grown!)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ManderMander Posts: 349
    I'm not sure if it's a volunteer or something that used to be on the other side of the fence. The fence blew over a couple of years ago and we had to cut everything down so that it could be replaced. It was technically too far on our side to start with, so I got a few mystery plants springing back up after that. So it might be something that the old neighbours had planted. However, this is the second year that I've noticed it and it does not seem very happy so I might just cut it down at some point. I'm on a roll with murdering trees at the moment so it could be added to my hit list! 
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Don't feel too sorry...if it's in the wrong place it's worth taking out or it will give you trouble. Life is complicated enough to have this kind of aggravation in our flower beds 😉
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
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