Why Does My Cornelian Cherry Look Sickly?

Are the flowers, leaves, stems, or buds covered with gray mold, leaves may be blotched or discolored?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are there small and pale leaves, that turn prematurely yellow or red and drop early, cankers may be present at the crown of the tree?

Does the trunk have lumpy swellings, limbs are dying or breaking off, the bark is falling off?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Do the twigs have clublike galls on them?

Are the leaves covered with small bumps?

Have the leaves been tunneled?

Gray mold on flowers, leaves, stems, or buds is caused by fungal disease - Botrytis blight. You can prevent Botrytis blight disease by planting in areas with good air circulation. Water plants sparsely. Severely infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide until the disease is under control.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Dogwood canker or crown canker is the most serious disease of Cornelian cherries. Infection usually occurs through injuries caused during transplanting, or from lawn care (mowing injuries), cultivation, etc. Avoid mechanical injuries when planting and pruning. It is too late to control crown canker after the fungus has invaded a large part of the tree base.

Several species of borers may attack Cornelian cherries. The most common type, the dogwood borer, has white-bodied, brown-headed larvae. Preventive measures are the best control for these pests like avoiding wounding the trunk with lawnmowers, string trimmers, or pruning equipment because these injuries provide an easy entrance for borers. If borers do strike, try cutting them out of the trunk with a sharp knife. Remove and destroy seriously infected trees.

Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Gall midges are insects whose orange larvae tunnel into young shoots. One-inch-long swellings form around the developing larvae on the twig. Leaves on the branch may wilt or turn brown. Prune off and destroy galls as soon as you see them.

Leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Leafminers are known pests of Cornelian cherries. These tiny pale green fly larvae feed between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Prune off and destroy all infested leaves. Remove debris in fall because it might contain overwintering leafminers. Introducing parasitic wasps is a very effective method of controlling leafminers.

In dry, hot, and windy conditions leaves of Cornelian cherries can scorch. It may look like a disease but it is environmental in origin. Site your plants so they are not exposed to excessively windy conditions. Provide some afternoon shade in warm locations. Provide extra water in dry conditions.