The most common plum tree diseases include black knot, plum pocket, brown rot, plum pox virus, perennial canker, and bacterial leaf spot.
How do you know if a plum has worms?
The dark spots are from the crescent shaped wounds created when the females lay their eggs in the flesh of the fruit, where the worms hatch and tunnel. If you see these spots on a plum, it likely has worms inside.
Why are my plums falling off the tree before they are ripe?
There can be numerous reasons why a plum tree drops its fruit before it ripens: insects, disease, high winds, and stress ( too much water, too little water, lack of nutrients, poor drainage, weed competition, and excessive shade, for example).
How do you treat a diseased plum tree?
Prune out all infected branches in late winter (late February through the end of March) and destroy them by burning, burying, or throwing them away. Remove at least 3-4 inches of healthy tissue below each knot to ensure elimination of the fungus.
Why are my plums deformed?
It is caused by an infection by the fungus Taphrina pruni, which prevents development of the stone and renders the fruit worthless. Distorted fruits appear from midsummer.
What month do you spray plum trees?
Your first application should be just after the trees are first beginning to bud. Make the second application a week to 10 days later. Spinosad is an alternative spray choice. The IPM program recommends spraying Spinosad in late spring when the blossoms are falling from the trees.
How do you stop plums from getting worms?
Apply a labeled insecticide while the tree is in full bud (before the flowers begin to open), when 75 percent of the petals are on the ground (this spray should be made in late evening so you won’t harm the bees), and on 10- to 14-day intervals until harvest.
Why won’t my plums ripen?
Plums ripen well on a countertop as long as they are kept at room temperature. Cold temperatures cause plums to develop an unpleasant mealy flavor. Avoid placing plums in a location near direct sunlight as heat can cause plums to rot. To speed up the ripening process, place plums in a paper bag and close the top.
What causes premature fruit drop?
In some cases, fruit drop is nature’s way of reducing a heavy fruit load. In other cases, premature fruit drop may be caused by pests and diseases, adverse weather conditions or poor cultural practices. Apples may have a couple of periods when fruit drop occurs.
How do you prevent fruit from dropping?
To avoid fruit drop as a result of overbearing, we recommend thinning the young fruit before the tree drops it. In general, it is best to leave 4-6 inches between each fruit and break up any clusters that may form. You may use small, sharp pruners to remove the fruit or simply pluck it off with your fingers.
Why does my plum tree look like it’s dying?
Bacterial Canker in Plum Trees
Sunken, dead and often oozing areas of bark will become apparent from spring and early summer, and shoots may die back. Branches can quickly die of this disease.
What does a fungus look like on a tree?
Fungus, like most tree diseases, will show itself in one of just a few ways. You may see abnormal growth, discoloration, or wilting in the leaves or needles. You may see discoloration or growth (scabs) in the bark. You may see fungus growing on your tree.
What disease do plum trees have?
Black knot, caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, is a very destructive disease of plum and prune. It is also quite common on wild plum and cherry as well as on Prunus species in the landscape. The disease affects only woody tissues and can develop on twigs, branches, and scaffold limbs.
What causes plum pocket disease?
Plum pocket or bladder plum is an unusual disease that causes unripe plums to grow abnormally large within a month or two after bloom. Plum pocket is caused by the fungus Taphrina communis. Manage this disease by removing infected plums from trees before they produce spores.
Can you eat plums with plum moth?
Plum moth caterpillars cause extensive damage to the inside of plum, damson and gage fruit. Their feeding activities make the fruit inedible, unless caught early when the damage may be more limited – although the fruit probably won’t have ripened adequately by then.
What causes leaf curl in plums?
Unlike leaf curl in peaches and nectarines, which is caused by a fungus, leaf curl in plums is caused by an infestation of the leaf curl plum aphid, Brachycaudus helichrysi. This insect sucks tree fluids from plum leaves, causing them to curl.
What is the best fungicide for plum trees?
Effective fungicides include fosetyl-al, which is applied to the leaves every 60 days, and mefenoxam, which can be applied in the early spring and fall. However, the best thing to do is prevent these fungal diseases by not overwatering and choosing a site with well-drained soil.
Why is my plum tree full of flies?
The plum sawfly (Hoplocampa flava) is another pest that leaves few signs but renders the fruit inedible. These flies emerge from the soil in the spring and lay their eggs in the blossom. The maggots will then enter the fruit, leaving just a small brown mark, and develop within.
What can you spray on fruit trees to keep bugs away?
We typically recommend fruit tree sprays with a combination of insecticide and disease-control ingredients; including, but not limited to: Bonide Fruit Tree & Plant Guard; Bonide Fruit Tree Spray; Bonide Malathion Insect Control; Hi-Yield 55% Malathion; and Hi-Yield Lawn, Garden, Pet & Livestock Insect Control.
Why are my plums full of worms?
The main cause of maggot damage in plums, damsons and greengages is due to caterpillars produced by the plum fruit moth. In winter female moths lay eggs in trees. The eggs hatch out into caterpillars which feed on fruit in early summer.
Why do my plums have sap on them?
Hot, dry conditions in summer or sunscald in winter can stress the tree and may be the cause for a plum tree oozing sap. Cytospora canker is a type of common fungal disease that often affects trees weakened by drought, severe weather, or injury caused by improper pruning or a lawnmower blade.