If you maintain any fruit trees, such as plums, peaches, or cherries, I'm sure you know that these types of trees are more susceptible to diseases than any other type. While the fruits are delicious, it can be hard to live with all the maladies that can affect the lives of everyone who has ever grown those types of fruit trees.
The main disease you may have heard about the most is known as "brown rot". It is a fungus that attaches itself to many remaining fruits after the harvesting season is over. Not only does it look disgusting on leftover fruits, but it can also regress on new fruits, making them inedible (unless you enjoy eating the fungus). To prevent this disease, you should prune your trees frequently to encourage good air circulation. The main cause of brown rot is the accumulation of moisture. Also, when you have finished harvesting for the season, you should get rid of any fruit left on the tree or on the ground.
A cytosols canker is a disgusting, dark, soft area on tree branches. The gums stick out from the bark with a large callus. The pathogen that causes these cankers usually enters the tree through old wounds. If you prune off all the sprouts that happen in late summer, the cankers will have a hard time identifying themselves within your tree. When you prune, always allow the wound to heal naturally, rather than using a wound dressing that you can buy at gardening stores. I've found that these usually do little to help either situation, and only serve to make the tree look unnatural.
Plum tree planters can deal with something called black not. Symptoms of black knot are rough tumors or growths that can be seen on tree branches. If you see any of these, you should immediately cut the branch to which it is attached. If you normally use branches for mulch, then don't. The disease can easily re-enter the tree if it is within a certain distance.
Almost everyone who has ever maintained a cherry tree has dealt with "cherry leaf spot." It usually shows itself when old dead leaves accumulate on the ground. Prevention of this disease is quite easy. All you have to do is be diligent enough to remove all the fallen leaves from your tree. If you have already noticed signs of the disease, you should destroy all of your ripe leaves. If not, you can use them as mulch.
When your fruits are ripe and ready to harvest, you should always be completely finished with harvesting within 2 weeks. It is best to go outside daily and pick up all newly ripe fruits, as well as those that have fallen from the tree or have started to rot on the tree. By doing this, you will prevent bees and wasps from relying on your tree for nutrition.
Growers of fruit trees are constantly faced with diseases and pests. However, you can avoid most of them if you take proper precautions. You should also look for diseases that are affecting your local area, and try to take steps to prevent them as well.
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