What is causing limbs on my cherry tree to die? Question What is causing limbs on my cherry tree to die?
Answer I cannot tell a lie. Cherry trees in the South are prone to having problems. There are several problems which are common in the Prunus genus. Many of the problems may require pruning or the “cutting down of the cherry tree.” The four most common problems are borers (insects), disease, mechanical injury, and stress.
The peach tree borer is an insect that can attack an otherwise healthy tree. Most of the time, their holes can be found in the bottom foot of the tree trunk. Other types of borers can be found in the branches, but these borers don’t usually attack healthy trees. If the tree has borers, then try poking a piece of wire into the hole to kill the bug. Insecticides are generally not very helpful.
Several diseases may also invade the limbs or trunk of a cherry tree. These diseases usually enter the tree’s bark through a hole made by an insect, lawnmower, pellet gun or sun scald. Pruning out the diseased branches is the best option. If the disease is in the trunk, TIMMMMMMBER!
Mechanical injury from weed trimmers, lawnmowers, guy wires, teenage drivers, etc. can cause limbs to croak. This type of injury interferes with the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients from the roots to the tips of the branches. Lack of water equals death in the plant world.
Lastly, stress can cause trees to lighten their foliar load. Drought and shade are major culprits. The combination of last year’s dry summer and winter placed a severe stress on many cherry trees. Ironically, deep mulch can also cause a problem with cherry trees. Warm Southern temperatures place a constant stress on cherry trees. Nearly all edible cherries are grown up North because of the cooler temperatures, hence the saying, “Michigan is the pits.”
Try to pick ornamental varieties which tolerate warm temperatures. Prunus mume was a favorite of the late JC Raulston. Although it is in the same genus, it is actually an apricot and not a cherry. For more information about cherry trees visit http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1018.htm
If you don’t have internet access, don't hesitate to call the Extension Office at 893-7533, write us at PO Box 1089, Lillington, NC 27546, or email me at gary_pierce@ncsu.edu
By the way, George Washington’s false teeth were not made of wood. Instead, they were mostly ivory (either hippopotamus or elephant). Other common components of 19th century dentures included horse, donkey, cow and human teeth.
Gary L. Pierce
Horticulture Extension Agent Harnett County | 
