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Cherry tree - no autumn colours

pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182
in Problem solving
My Prunus 'Kanzan' has not looked right since Summer.   Its leaves took on a wilted appearance but it is an established tree and still looked wilted even after a soaking by me or the rains.

It has produced no autumn colour whatsoever this year and I can't understand what is going on.  It has never been pruned later than Aug/Sep and only ever during good weather so I'm guessing this isn't silver leaf - the leaves are still green but withered and wilting.

Very disappointed as has been great up until now.  It is perhaps 8 years old or so.

Please help if you can as am at a loss as to what has happened.
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can you show us a photo please? 

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





  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182
    Dovefromabove said:
    Can you show us a photo please? 
    yes I can - taken just now as per your suggestion.
  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182

  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182

  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182

  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182
    thehplants89208 said:
    I'm sorry to hear about the trouble with your Prunus 'Kanzan'. It would be better to send a photo of your plant so that I can guide you better, but Changes in the appearance and health of established trees can be concerning. Several factors could contribute to the wilting and lack of autumn color in your tree.

    1.Watering and Soil: Even with rain or watering, sometimes trees can suffer from root issues due to poor drainage, compacted soil, or root diseases. Ensure the soil is well-drained and not waterlogged.

    2.Nutrient Deficiency:Lack of essential nutrients, particularly potassium, can lead to wilting and poor leaf coloration. Consider using a balanced fertilizer suitable for flowering trees to ensure it's getting proper nutrients.

    3.Pests or Diseases:While you mentioned it might not be silver leaf due to the green leaves, other diseases or pests like aphids, scale insects, or fungal infections could cause similar symptoms. Inspect the tree closely for any signs of infestation or disease.

    4.Environmental Stress: Extreme weather conditions, like prolonged drought, excessive heat, or even a sudden change in the environment, can stress trees and affect their health.

    thanks for your initial response.

    the tree is in perfectly well drained soil and has given great colour over the past few years.

    it isn't given regular fertiliser as it is in clay soil and has never seemed to need anything since it has established (it was fed in its formative years).

    pest or diseases I am assuming could be a factor looking at those spots on the leaves? but I have no idea.   I haven't noticed those brown spots before that's for sure.

    environmental stress - it certainly did have a prolonged drought this summer in June and then I guess a lot of rain in the months after that, but I am still suspecting disease of some sort and I hope it is recoverable.

    I shall wait for further advice...
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Hello, @pierre_de_gaye! 

    Your flowering cherry certainly doesn't look well...  the fact that the whole tree is affected suggests that the problem may originate in the roots.  It's possible that it has suffered from the unusually long periods of drought this year and last - cherries are quite shallow-rooted.  If that's the case, crossing your fingers and seeing what happens next spring might be all you need to do - plus vigilance in watering deeply, if the weather is very dry.

    I wouldn't worry about the leaf spots.  Leaves at the end of the season often have some fungal spots, but if you clear them away when they've dropped, it shouldn't affect the tree next year.  It doesn't look like silver leaf to me.  There are, of course, some soil-borne diseases like Phytophthora root rot.  And honey fungus, which will attack Prunus, though it might well have killed more susceptible plants in your garden first... 

    Good luck.


    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    What does the trunk look like near the base? Is there any damage to the bark?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182
    JennyJ said:
    What does the trunk look like near the base? Is there any damage to the bark?
    I'll need to check for the honey fungus symptoms if that's what you're thinking - RHS don't list Prunus as being especially susceptible though.  Hope not.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2023
    I suspect @JennyJ is concerned that there may be damage to the trunk from strimming or from bumps by a mower  … more likely if there’s not a clear circle of bare earth around the base of the tree. 

    Grass at the base of the tree can also compete with the finer tree roots near the surface for moisture   and make the tree more susceptible to drought stress in dry spells. 

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





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