Last year I planted Semi Dwarf Van Cherry tree in my back yard. This year I have noticed that almost all the new leaves are curled and inside of the leaves, is a colonies of small black bugs. The size of the bugs is nearly as big as a pin head. They do not move much and are practically stick to the leaves. I consulted several business hear who deals in plants, trees, flowers and vegetables. I went to big one among them. I talked to the woman and she told me that I can't do any thing now and the tree should have been sprayed in spring before buds start appearing. She told me that it is a fungus. I believed her and convinced myself that I have to wait until the next spring. I told my wife since she is very passionate about this tree b/c it was gift to her on last year's mother day. She suggested that if it a fungus the why not to try vinegar (one used at home). I sprayed the bugs with vinegar. It was done on June 6/11. what it did, the leaves almost burned dry but these nasty bugs still are there on the new tiny leaves. Due to heavy rain the vinegar has washed off. I want your expert opinion. I have noticed very few lady bugs and never had an idea that they eat this black bugs.

Here are some photos of the tree and leaf damage. Here is a shot that shows the new growth that died. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w6qd-Q90yFsEMJFnGolhXw?authkey=Gv1sRgCKq8-Mqyxr-AhgE&feat=directlink Here is one leaf without holes but with some sort of discoloration. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KZ2BbOvjR8Z8FgTHgbTeJA?authkey=Gv1sRgCKq8-Mqyxr-AhgE&feat=directlink Here is a minor holed leaf. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qktsc6QjoXh0yknZPlEYKA?authkey=Gv1sRgCKq8-Mqyxr-AhgE&feat=directlink However, when all together you can see how bad it is. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3t07gyPYzywSYy7CXlqL3g?authkey=Gv1sRgCKq8-Mqyxr-AhgE&feat=directlink Finally, although it's always somewhat looked like this, the bark on the tree is torn off a bit. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wWBpyzQA6xBY5wAoPE9F6Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCKq8-Mqyxr-AhgE&feat=directlink

It resembles what happens to the leaves in the Fall when cold weather arrives and kills the leaves. So, yes, a late frost may have damaged them. If so, it would have damaged the leaves in old/new growth. But "only once". Meaning the new leaves would have been zapped, the plant would create replacement leaves but these replacement leaves should n-o-t turn black. If the replacement new leaves also turn black, something else is afoot. Hopefully this will not affect flowering but it might if stems also turn brown and stuff like that. Since this is just how the leaves look now and since you can monitor how the leaves blacken/change better than us, I will also give you a link containing information about various fungal diseases. Of interest, the article talks about Anthracnose, a fungal infection common in wholesaler facilities (you can get it by simply buying their infected stock). This disease produces dark lesions in the leaves. The lesions can appear dark brown, black, etc and both leaves and flowers can be infected. Of course, it is hard to tell if flowers are affected if you do not have any flowers yet, hu? Oh well. Hopefully this is not what you have (knock on wood) but review the information given, compare it to what you see and determine whether if any applies. http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1212/index2.tmpl

Otherwise known as Devils Ivy...Right? If so, what do you use for a trellis? Did you buy something, make something? Mine isn't all that big, but I don't want it hanging over the pot (I have cats). Right now I'm using a marshmallow metal roaster thing...and a small Bamboo curved trellis.