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Brown rot?

dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
in Problem solving
Hi! This tree had lots of plums/cherries last year, shriveled up this year. Is it really brown rot? If so, it seems like there's no viable solution. is that right? The whole tree seems to have it, and I'd rather not spray anything, let alone a big tree. Thanks

Posts

  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    I can love without the fruit no problem, but will tree stop flowering, or die altogether?
  • blacksweetrollsblacksweetrolls Posts: 16
    Brown rot can be pretty nasty, so it definitely sounds like that could be the culprit. A full spray of fungicide may not be a bad idea, as it can help stop the spread of the infection. But you could just prune away the affected branches if you don't want to spray anything. And don't worry, it shouldn't permanently damage the tree. Pruning and other management strategies can help the tree recover everyone some time. It'll likely still flower - just maybe not be as abundant in fruit this year.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I take it the photo is of last year’s fruit, in a sort of mummified state, still on the tree?  I’d have thought it’s too early for this year’s cherries to be that size?

    Last year was crazily hot and a lot of fruit was damaged and shrivelled on the tree by the heat.  Even if it was Brown Rot I don’t think this years fruit would be looking like that this early in the summer. 





    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Oh that's interesting. I didn't notice any fruit on the bare branches in winter but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. The other symptom is on the new growth though, gnarled elongated things that look like they were trying to be fruit or a new bit of branch...


  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    FYI, I had a local gardener take a look and he said it's frost damage, which is a huge relief! It makes a lot of sense timing wise. Would you agree?
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