skip to main content

Weeping cherry dropping all leaves after organic spray

9 years ago

Had a gorgeous 25 ft weeping cherry...that was sprayed with mpead and emoil...by organic tree care specialist...exactly 2 days after spraying it began to lose all its leaves...like it rained leaves off the tree..filled my pool with leaves and the grounds...what went wrong? any thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

ruin3
Original Author
9 years ago
The organic tree specialist..i wonder now...was here to spray same mixture on my Leyland Cypress trees as a cure for Mites...I saw the product he used ..actually watched him mix it up in his truck...Against my wishes he sprayed the weeping cherry when he had finished the cypress treatment..The tree looked the best it had in 24 yeras its been there..so i said leave it alone...he said the spraying would be preventative...and did it anyway....within two days and now a week..and well over half the leaves have turned yellow and fallen off..Did he kill it?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
I am assumng the products used are actually Impede and Neem oil :-)) And neither one should have much of a negative effect on a weeping cherry (although Lord knows they have enough other issues!!). Impede is just an insecticidal soap although at a somewhat higher concentration. And Neem oil is a go-to organic control for a variety of insect, fungal and mite issues.

Both of these are contact insecticides, so "preventative" is a bit wishful thinking. But even so, unlikely to do much harm I would guess that the timing of the spraying may be playing a role. A wide variety of plants can develop phytotoxic reactions to insecticidal soap (or other pesticides) if sprayed during sunny conditions. This can cause them to lose foliage or it to burn and dry. If provided with sufficient moisture, they will often releaf rather promptly, given reasonable weather conditions.
Related Discussions
Eradicating Cherry Leaf Spot, the organic way?
Q
Comments (2)
Chlorothalonil will work well. No resistance can be built up as with mycobutanil. Captan is another product that can be used. You need to hit the plant early. Early leaf infection will dictate how the season goes. Keep the tree dry if you can. The farmers at the farmer's market are using these products too. In Canada, commercial users may have access to these chemicals too. Living in MI I hope they do not. As it means big bucks for us. Without these chemicals, the cherry industry will disappear in Canada, and you guys will be importing our cherries. I have never seen sulfur recommended, but I would use it in the dormant stage with an all seasons oil. Copper can work but is not as good. If the problem continues you may want to try North Star or Meteor which are leaf spot resistant (not immune).
...See More
Kwanzan Cherry - Ill dropping leaves too early
Q
Comments (4)
That's leaf spot and very typical. It looks like there could be scale on a couple stems but I can't say for sure. A recent transplant, especially of that size, you should expect 'stress'. Also given the fact this entire year has been so cool, there has been a triggering of early leaf drop (trees thinking the weather is fall-like.) You don't say where you are and should adjust your profile (bottom of the page click on "member pages" and proceed.) A determination of where you are located always helps people process information and causes. I'm in IL for example where the weather has been very-very cool. What I would suggest is you rake up any of those leaves and dispose of them.... keeping them out of the perimeter of your tree so rain and irrigation doesn't return the bacteria back into the soil/roots and continue watering which will establish the roots/tree and monitor in future years if the leaf spot continues while spraying as necessary. Cherries whether ornamental or fruit bearing are magnets for leaf spot. If after several years and possibly continuing past five years you see leaf fungal diseases, you should probably spray the tree while dormant with a liquid copper fungicide. And if you see signs of leaf spot after spraying, spray as necessary according to the label. I think it should be distinguished that the early leaf drop is separate from the leaf spot. Yes, leaf spot will cause pre-mature leaf drop, however, not in the amounts you're currently seeing. Right now it could be cool weather to attribute this to, or equally, it being a new transplant. Regarding what may be scale, have a close look and google the images for scale on leaves. If you have scale which is likely occurring mainly because the tree is in stress... making it vulnerable to insect activity, only treat annually if you see it again in subsequent years... with horticultural oil. You will spray the tree while dormant at the same time as you spray the copper. Best regards, Dax
...See More
Dwarf Weeping Cherry Assitance
Q
Comments (13)
@akamainegrower - I can certainly contact the nursery to find out. While I bought it in July, they said (and I'm going strictly on what they told me) that the tree was being kept dormant, and so when it was shipped to me was the first time it came out of wherever they were keeping it dormant. I do like the tree, and don't want to just get rid of it. I still do want a weeping tree in my front yard, preferably with a dark pink or purple color. I was looking at a Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud, but can't really buy one now. When would be best to both purchase the new tree (preferably a well established one 3+ feet tall) and to transplant this Cherry to a new location. I have a spot in the back of my house that gets plenty of sunlight, and if this is a Nanking and it will produce fruit it will keep the mess away from the front of the house. Thanks
...See More
Weeping cherry - hort oil applicaiton for winter moths
Q
Comments (8)
So if your tree is in the middle of a koi pond or there is a bunch of pregnant women standing around your tree then by all means don't spray it. Please don't tell me that you guys believe everything you read on Wikipedia. Every fall there are large amount of pyrethins sold in the mums at Lowe's and Home Depot with no warning labels. But when the same ingredients are put into a bottle and sold as an insecticide then the world is coming to an end. I am both a synthetic organic chemist and a medicinal chemist. I have seen the tox data on these compounds and there is absolutely nothing to worry about. They are just variations on what Mother Nature makes in mums. If you truly think the insecticide is bad then you have absolutely no business buying mums. It's hypocrisy if you do.
...See More
ruin3
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much Gardengal48 for responding...You have the correct spelling on the products...sorry..i just spelled them as the tree guy pronounced them..figuring someone who knows about organic treatments...as you do...would understand...I am very upset with this problem.,,as this large beautiful tree is the focal point of the plantings around my pool...and I told him not to spray the tree, as it was fine...anyway..as per your post...will it releaf this year..Long Island NY...or next spring?...and can I now assume that the tree is not going to die from this...even with so few leaves?..And yes he sprayed it in sunny conditions...wish i had communicated with you before he did his work...ahhh depressing. Thank you very much again...look fwd to your post.

Related Stories

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Healthy Ways to Handle Fallen Leaves

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Once nature's beautiful bounty is spent, these ecofriendly strategies for leaves will put your yard in the clear

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Luscious Cherries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Nope, they’re not the easiest fruit to grow. But with spectacular blossoms and pies as possibilities, cherries are sure worth a try

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: A Creative Space for Kids and Storage for All

By Becky Harris

With mudroom organizers, laundry and a well-organized space for crafts, this basement puts a Massachusetts home in balance

MOVING The All-in-One-Place Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving

By Laura Gaskill

Stay organized with this advice on what to do when you change homes

HOLIDAYS 10 Ways Your Christmas Tree Can Live On After the Holidays

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to recycle your Christmas tree and reap benefits for the environment

WHITE KITCHENS Before and After: Modern Update Blasts a '70s Kitchen Out of the Past

By Mitchell Parker

A massive island and a neutral color palette turn a retro kitchen into a modern space full of function and storage

DIY PROJECTS Dining Set Makeover: Paint and Tea-Tinted Fabric Make Old Chairs New

By Sarah Greenman

Reclaim dated dining chairs for far less than buying new, using spray paint, modern fabric and a handful of tea bags

GARDENING GUIDES New Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you go making a mountain out of a mulch hill, learn the facts about what your plants and soil really want

Sponsored

More Discussions

Spring for your fig tree

7

Old growth pines with mounds at base

4

Enormous silver maple

3

Is This a Sandbox Tree?

1

Japanese Maple for sun/shady deck

2