My weeping cherry tree is blooming, but has some dead limbs…
Margaret Asked
My weeping cherry tree is blooming, but has some dead limbs. Also, some bark is split. Some white stuff is on those spots. This tree is a gift from my retirement. I don’t want to lose it. It’s 3 years old. What can I do to save it?
The Gardener’s Answer
Weeping cherry trees are lovely this time of the year, but these ornamentals are not free of insect and disease issues. From the picture that you sent, it looks like your retirement gift is not so happy. White fungal growth typically appears as a secondary issue and is a good indication that the tree is not healthy.
Have you noticed any wet looking areas or oozing on the trunk or branches? Splitting bark is also a bad sign and the dead branches are a result of this. When the inner layers of a tree are exposed it makes it easier for additional insects and disease to enter, causing further decline in the health of the tree.
Hiring a certified arborist is the best bet for your tree. He or she will be able to properly prune and treat with a fungicide. Your county Extension Office may have recommendations for certified arborists in your area or a local garden center/nursery may have one on staff. I’m sorry I don’t have more encouraging advice.
