Seattle residents LOVE their cherry trees, from the beautiful pink blossoms that welcome spring each year to the delicious fruit that signals summer. But have you noticed how many cherry trees are looking sickly and dying?
Cherry bark tortrix (CBT), a winged insect, has infested 75% - 80% of the Seattle area cherry trees, according to Washington State Department of Agriculture.
How does it damage the cherry trees?
The initial larvae feed on the bark and outer sapwood, while the later larvae tunnel between the bark and cambium.
What does it look like on the tree?Infestations are easily recognized by reddish-orange colored frass accumulations or frass tubes near gallery entrances.
Will CBT kill my cherry tree?
Yes. Along infested sides of the tree, dieback of new and old growth can occur. Indirect damage occurs through the formation of habitats for secondary pests such as bark beetles, fungi, and increasing susceptibility of infested trees to successive years of freezing damage, which can result in the death of the tree.
Can I save my cherry tree?
If you catch the infestation early, yes. Early fall is the most successful time for pesticide applications. Synthetic pyrethroids are the longest-lasting pesticides, but to get an up-to-date list of suggestions, please consult the most recent PNW Insect Management Handbook, your local Cooperative Extension office, or the Hortsense website (http://pep.wsu.edu/hortsense).
If your cherry tree is dead or dying, it needs to be removed. Call Blooma Tree Experts for a free removal estimate: (206) 714-9835.
For more information on CBT, read this WSU report: http://puyallup.wsu.edu/plantclinic/resources/pdf/pls67cherrybarktortrix.pdf
Looking to clean up your yard? Check out tree pruning queens!
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