Tree Pests & Diseases
Chokecherry Tree Maintenance
Chokecherry is widely used in Colorado landscapes for flowers, foliage color, and berries. It is fairly adaptable but commonly develops black knot, aphids, tent caterpillars, and canker problems.
- Species
- Chokecherry Tree
- Botanical Name
- Prunus virginiana and ornamental cultivars
- Group
- Ornamental Trees
- Tracked Problems
- 7
Seasonal Calendar
| Problem | Type | Active Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black knot | Fungus | Visible year-round; spreads Spring |
| Cytospora canker | Fungus | Spring–Fall |
| Tent caterpillars | Insect | Spring |
| Aphids | Insect | Spring–Fall |
| Shot hole disease | Fungus/Bacteria | Spring–Summer |
| Leaf spot | Fungus | Spring–Summer |
| Environmental stress | Abiotic | Summer–Fall |
Pest & Disease Guide
Black Knot
Common symptoms
- Black swollen knots on branches
- Branch dieback
Treatment & management
- Prune well below knots
- Destroy infected wood
Cytospora Canker
Common symptoms
- Oozing sap
- Sunken bark patches
Treatment & management
- Prune infected limbs
- Reduce drought stress
Tent Caterpillars
Common symptoms
- Silken tents
- Chewed foliage
Treatment & management
- Remove tents early
- Treat heavy infestations
Aphids
Common symptoms
- Honeydew
- Leaf curl
Treatment & management
- Rinse foliage
- Encourage predators
Shot Hole Disease
Common symptoms
- Small holes in leaves
- Spotted foliage
Treatment & management
- Clean up leaves
- Avoid overhead watering
Leaf Spot
Common symptoms
- Brown or purple spots
- Early drop
Treatment & management
- Improve airflow
- Remove fallen leaves
Environmental Stress
Common symptoms
- Scorch
- Sparse canopy
Treatment & management
- Deep watering
- Mulch root zone
When to Worry
- Black knot spreading through canopy
- Repeated dieback
- Severe defoliation from caterpillars
Mostly Cosmetic
- Minor spotting
- Light aphid activity
- Some summer scorch
Notes
These can weaken or disfigure the tree over time.
These usually improve with routine pruning and irrigation.
Related Resources
Related Services
Great Western Tree Care
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The Root exists to help you understand your landscape. When a tree needs hands-on evaluation, a Great Western arborist can look at it in person.