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If you keep any seedless fruit trees like plums, peaches, or cherries, I'm sure you know that these types of trees are far more susceptible to disease than any other species. Although the fruits are delicious, it can be quite difficult to live with all the ailments that can plague the life of anyone who has ever grown one of these types of fruit trees.
The main disease you will hear about the most is known as "brown rot". This is a fungus that attaches itself to many leftover fruits after the picking season is over. Not only does it look disgusting on leftover fruit, but it can also come back on newer fruit, making it inedible (unless you like mushrooms). To prevent this disease, you should prune your trees frequently to promote good air circulation. Moisture build-up is the main cause of brown rot. You should also get rid of any remaining fruit on the tree or on the ground after the seasonal harvest.
Cytospore canker is an unsightly dark, soft area on tree branches. The gum protrudes through the bark along with a large callus. The pathogen that causes these cankers usually enters the tree through older wounds. If you cut off all the sprouts that occur in late summer, the canker will have a harder time making itself known on your tree. When pruning, always allow wounds to heal naturally rather than using wound dressings that you can buy from garden stores. I find that this usually does very little to help in any situation and only serves to make the tree look unnatural.
Those who plant plums can deal with something called black knot. Symptoms of black ne are rough tumors or growths that can be seen on the branches of the tree. If you see any of this, you should immediately cut the branch it is attached to. If you usually use branches for mulch, not for this one. This disease can easily re-enter the tree if it is at some distance.
Almost everyone who has ever maintained a cherry tree has encountered "cherry spot." It usually appears when old dead leaves are piled up on the ground. Prevention of this disease is relatively easy. All you have to do is be fairly diligent about raking up all the leaves that fall from your tree. If you have already noticed symptoms of the disease, you should destroy any raked leaves. If not, you can use them as mulch.
When your fruit is ripe and ready for picking, you should always stop picking completely within 2 weeks. It is best to go out daily and collect all new ripe fruit along with any that have fallen from the tree or are beginning to rot on the tree. This will prevent bees and wasps from becoming too dependent on your tree's nutrition.
Fruit tree growers are constantly dealing with diseases and pests. However, if you take the right precautions, you can avoid most of them. You should also look for any diseases that affect your area and try to take steps to prevent them as well.
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