What Happened to My Flowering Cherry Tree?

Flowering Cherry Trees are beautiful, but susceptible to pests and diseases. Learn how to identify and manage them in this one hour class.

There is nothing quite as exciting as a flowering cherry tree (Prunus spp.) beginning to bloom after a long cold winter. So it is quite disappointing to see flowers and leaves start to suddenly wilt, or oozing from cankers on the stems and trunks. Prunus species and varieties are prone to a number of common diseases and insect pests that over time can weaken or even kill a tree. This talk will cover identification of blossom brown rot, bacterial canker, cherry shothole (coryneum blight), cherry bark tortrix and tent caterpillar. Non-chemical management methods will also be discussed.

Bess Bronstein is an ISA Certified Arborist, ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional, educator and horticultural consultant based in Kingston, Washington. She has 35 years experience in arboriculture, landscape management and garden design. Bess was an instructor for the Edmonds College horticulture program for 28 years, with a focus on courses in pruning and tree care, plant identification, plant pests and diagnosis, and soils. She supports ongoing education in sustainable landscape management practices and tree care. Bess frequently teaches public and professional arboriculture and horticulture courses throughout the Puget Sound, including both training and continuing education classes for WSU Master Gardeners.