Michigan cherries advice from MSU

Phytophthora root and crown rot - Phytophthora spp.

This rot is common in low areas of cherry and peach orchards with poor soil drainage and throughout orchards with clay soil that restricts drainage. The disease is most likely to appear after the trees come into production. Affected trees exhibit poor terminal growth, sparse and chlorotic foliage, early senescence and progressive decline over several seasons. A few trees collapse and die soon after budbreak.

For diagnosis, the outer bark of the crown and roots should be removed. Necrotic tissue will be observed on the roots and crown below the soil line.


Decline of Montmorency cherry trees from phytophthora root rot.	Mahaleb rootstock with phytophthora root rot.

Additional information

For more monitoring information and evaluation of available pesticides:
Michigan Fruit Management Guide
MSU Diagnostic Services for assistance in pest identification.
MSU Fruit Crop Advisory Team Alert newsletters for current pest/crop conditions.

Images on this page provided by Alan L. Jones.

This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Stone Fruits by David Epstein, Larry J. Gut, Alan L. Jones and Kimberly Maxson-Stein. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2840).

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Funding support: Project GREEEN, the Michigan Cherry Committee and the MSU IPM Program. Read disclaimer. Web developed by: J.N. Landis.
Updated: 03/03/08