What pests attack cherry trees?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Cherry trees are in danger of being attacked by birds, aphids, peach tree borers, and fruit flies. Birds will completely strip the fruit from the tree overnight; I lost almost half of my crop and then used UV-resistant netting. Aphids will swarm to the new growth on cherry trees leaving a sticky mess. Borers will burrow into the trunk of the tree, and fruit flies will lay their eggs in the ripe cherries.
Physical Barriers
- Birds: Drape ¾-inch mesh netting over trees
- Borers: Wrap trunks with burlap or sticky tape
- Fruit flies: Hang pheromone traps 4-6 ft high
Organic Controls
- Aphids: Spray 1 tsp dish soap + 1 quart water
- Borers: Apply neem oil to trunk cracks
- Fruit flies: Release parasitic wasps (e.g., _Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae_)
Apply treatments with the timing of pest cycles in mind. Use sticky traps* for borers in early spring when adults start to emerge. Spray aphids in the cool of the morning as the heat will evaporate the soap too quickly. My max catch of the May cherry fly trap was 50 a day, that is the time of peak egg-laying!
Take note of the changes every week. Make sure you examine the undersides of the leaves for aphid colonies. Make a point to check the trunks for holes due to borers. Use some yellow sticky cards to monitor any potential fruit fly activity. Consider planting some marigolds or dill near your plants, as both repel aphids and attract ladybugs, both of which serve as natural predators.
Read the full article: How to Grow Cherry Trees From Seed or Sapling
