Cherry Tree Fungi

My Cherry tree has been dying from the west side for a couple of years and now has started to grow Fungi on the branches, some smaller branches have dried out and dropped off.


I have never had any fruit from it (although the birds have) and a neighbour told me the previous owners grafted it and kept the wrong part what ever that means??

It stands about 10-12 feet tall and I would like to keep it as it supports many swings, bird feeders, washing lines and gives good shade in the summer.

I will try to put a photo on to show you what is happening.

Any advice appreciated

Dave

 

David is it one of those old big ones?

I think if its getting a bit fungi infested there's probably not much you can do.
As to grafting and keeping the "wrong part", thats a bit of a mystery as well.
It could be canker of some kind, they get a gummy secretion from the wounds, best pruned out to healthy wood.

 

Just cut our cherry tree down! It was about 30 years old and died completely when we moved in 2 years ago! I have the same magical powers with azaleas too :D

 

Nothing you can do, sounds like a bracket fungus or similar. If it can fall without causeing damadge then probably best to leave it.

 

Dave try and get that photo on so that we can see what the problem is.

 

Dave the fungus is a secondary infection feeding on wood that has already died,the air is full of fungus spores and autumn is the time when damp conditions allow them to thrive, they are part of the breaking down process and can occur in many forms one class being the bracket fungi as mentioned by Pro,it is possible it has been grafted and the piece that has been grafted on has died,if you can find the grafting point cut the dead bit off at the graft and seal the wound,the tree may survive but only the original root stock.

 

Here are 3 pics to help looks like it is a sad end for this fine tree!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/guymarine/Untitled.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/guymarine/tree.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/guymarine/fungi.jpg

 

sorry I have put the wrong link I think

DAve

 

Looks like one of those oldies that was there before the house was built.

They usually end up dying s l o w l y, I've noticed.

 

The fungus you have shown is probably growing on parts and stems that have already died as a result of die-back disease caused through damage. This is common in cherries and, although seldom fatal, can weaken them over the years. Try to cut it out when the sap is rising, rather than between July and the end of winter when it can take hold again,they should last a few years yet.

 

Walnut did you see pic three.
I only ask because it appears the fungus is into the top of the trunk, from where the main branches radiate.

 

Yes Pete it looks like there's a scar were the tree has been damaged on the surface(probably putting that nest box up)it could be cleaned off and treated with an anti-fungicide its worth a go.

 

Yep, anything is worth a go, I suppose.