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Cherry tree - no autumn colours

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  • 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. 
    There is a clear circle round the base of the tree and it is grass free.  Mower doesn't get near it.
  • Thanks. Good to have that confirmed @pierre_de_gaye … we can discount that as a problem. 👍 

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





  • No worries.
    Just praying it's not honey fungus or anything like that.   Potentially environmental stress but not sure.  Fairly sure there are no dead branches.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    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. 
    Exactly, or possibly if the bark's been eaten by wildlife - deer, rabbits etc. If they nibble all the way round it stops the tree taking up water so would account for the wilting leaves that don't respond to rain or being watered.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • JennyJ said:
    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. 
    Exactly, or possibly if the bark's been eaten by wildlife - deer, rabbits etc. If they nibble all the way round it stops the tree taking up water so would account for the wilting leaves that don't respond to rain or being watered.

    I very much doubt this is the case, Jenny - we are in town and no deer or rabbits in the garden I'm afraid.  I haven't noticed any damage to the bark.
  • it has shed its leaves as normal and not prematurely - just without the usual lovely colours.    there are no dead branches as far as I'm aware.    the usual canker perhaps as seems to be common with all cherries but this has never affected its vigour/blossom/autumn colour.

    I'm hoping once it leafs out again next May that the leaves will not be in such a sorry state as they have been since the summer.
  • It might be worth noting that my amelanchier had much less vivid autumn colour this year than is usual … I attributed it to lower sunlight levels this recent summer  .., it has been unusually dull 😞 

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





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think we've discussed pretty much all the obvious possibilities, so it's just a case of leave it alone and see how it does next year.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • pierre_de_gayepierre_de_gaye Posts: 182
    edited November 2023
    It might be worth noting that my amelanchier had much less vivid autumn colour this year than is usual … I attributed it to lower sunlight levels this recent summer  .., it has been unusually dull 😞 
    I have one of those too and know what you mean, though I'm not sure that explains why all the cherry leaves looked wilting from late summer onwards ?   

    Aren't you in France dove from what I recall (unless I'm confusing you with another user)?
  • JennyJ said:
    I think we've discussed pretty much all the obvious possibilities, so it's just a case of leave it alone and see how it does next year.
    Perhaps but I still feel somewhat in the dark as to why it has taken on a wilted appearance since late summer and brown spotting that wasn't present before.

    Let's just hope it's environmental stress rather than anything else.
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