Leaves Curling on Cherry Trees: Causes and Solutions

Cherry trees are prized for their early spring blooms and abundant summer fruit. But sometimes those glossy green leaves start to curl or pucker during the growing season. Curled or cupped leaves on your cherry can indicate a few different underlying issues.

Leaf curl in cherry trees is most often caused by aphids, scale, fungus or environmental factors. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and timely care, curled cherry leaves can often be remedied.

Read on to learn why cherry tree leaves may be curling and what you can do to restore your tree’s health and beauty.

Common Causes of Cherry Leaf Curl

Here are some of the most likely reasons your cherry tree has developed curled or wrinkled leaves

Insects

• Aphids – Tiny sap-sucking aphids feeding on the undersides of leaves can lead to cupped or curled leaves as tissues distort. Honeydew secretions also promote sooty mold growth.

• Scale – Armored scale insects attach themselves to branches and leaves extracting plant fluids. Heavy infestations cause leaf yellowing and curling.

• Spider Mites – Microscopic mites pierce leaf surfaces and suck juices, causing stippling, curling or bronzing. Webbing may be visible in severe cases.

Diseases

• Leaf Curl Fungus – The fungal disease Taphrina deformans causes puckered, distorted reddish leaves that thicken and curl upward. Affected leaves often drop early.

• Bacterial Leaf Spot – Bacterial infections cause small, water-soaked spots on developing leaves. Leaves shrivel, curl and turn brown as spots run together.

• Cherry Rust – Rust fungal spores result in yellow-orange powdery lesions on leaves. Severe infections cause leaf distortion, curling and defoliation.

Environmental Stressors

• Insufficient Water – Prolonged drought conditions will cause leaves to wilt, curl and brown along the edges as they lose moisture.

• Root Damage – Restricted, damaged or dysfunctional roots unable to take up water and nutrients force leaves to curl and dry out.

• Extreme Temperatures – Very high heat causes moisture loss through leaf transpiration, resulting in parched, curled leaves if water needs aren’t met.

Other Factors

• Herbicide Injury – Exposure to drifting weed killers like 2,4-D can cause cherry tree leaf curling, distortion and eventual dieback.

• Poor Drainage – Constant soggy soil prevents roots from accessing oxygen. Leaves yellow, wilt and curl in response.

Once you determine the cause, you can take appropriate corrective care to restore your cherry tree’s health.

How to Treat Curled Leaves on Cherry Trees

Treating curled cherry leaves starts with identifying and addressing the underlying issue. Here are some common remedies:

For Insect Pests

• Knock aphids and mites off with a strong spray of water. Apply horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps for heavy infestations.

• Apply dormant oil spray before bud break to smother overwintering scale on branches.

• Systemic insecticides like acephate may be warranted for severe infestations. Always follow label directions.

For Diseases

• Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. Remove and destroy infected leaves.

• Apply copper sprays at leaf emergence and petal fall to treat leaf spot and leaf curl diseases.

• Rake and dispose of fallen leaves to limit fungal spore sources.

For Environmental Issues

• Water deeply during drought and mulch to conserve soil moisture. Provide afternoon shade if excess heat is an issue.

• Examine roots for injury or restrictions and repair damaged root systems.

• Test soil drainage and amend or replace overly heavy, dense soils.

For Other Problems

• Rule out and address any drainage problems, nutrient deficiencies and herbicide exposure.

• Be extra vigilant with watering if leaves curled following transplant shock.

With prompt attention to curled cherry leaves, you can often limit long term impacts and avoid more serious decline. But take quick action when symptoms first appear.

Preventing Future Leaf Curl on Cherry Trees

An ounce of prevention is the best medicine when it comes to avoiding cherry leaf problems. Here are some proactive tips:

Select Resistant Varieties

Some cherry varieties are less prone to leaf curl diseases, including:

• Brooks
• Cavalier
• Emperor Francis
• Lapins
• Sam
• Selah

Ask for resistant varieties when sourcing new cherry trees.

Provide Proper Care

• Water thoroughly during drought and fertilize lightly to maintain tree vigor.

• Prune judiciously for optimal airflow and light penetration within the canopy.

• Control weeds that compete for water and nutrients.

Employ Preventive Practices

• Apply dormant oil spray before bud break to deter overwintering pests.

• Rake and remove fallen leaves to eliminate disease spore sources.

• Apply fungicidal sprays at leaf emergence and petal fall if diseases are a problem

• Monitor regularly for early signs of insects or disease. Take quick corrective action at the first appearance of issues.

With vigilance and attentive care, you can help keep your cherry tree leaves healthy and attractive all season long. Don’t ignore early warning signs of problems. Addressing issues promptly maximizes your success.

When to Worry About Curled Cherry Leaves

Seeing a few curled or crinkled leaves on your cherry tree periodically is no major cause for concern. But be on alert if you notice:

• Many leaves cupping, curling or distorting at once

• Leaves shriveling or browning in addition to curling

• Evidence of insect infestation like honeydew, webbing or sticky residue

• White fungal coating or black sooty mold on curled leaves

• Leaves falling early due to disease or dieback

• Lack of new growth and declining vigor

• Slow to no recovery following initial curling

Rapid leaf curl spread, branch dieback and lack of recovery signal a more serious underlying problem requiring quick medical attention. Don’t delay treatment.

FAQs About Cherry Trees with Curled Leaves

If you’re puzzled by curled cherry leaves, here are answers to some common questions:

Are curled cherry leaves always diseased?

Not necessarily. Curled leaves can also result from cultural issues, pests, weather damage or simply natural aging. Rule out diseases last after other causes.

Should you remove leaves with cherry leaf curl?

Yes, prune off any distorted, diseased leaves at the first sign to prevent infection spread. Dispose of fallen leaves as well.

Is cherry leaf curl fatal?

Not immediately in most cases if treated, but repeated defoliation weakens trees over time. Take prompt action to limit long term impacts.

How do you fix curled cherry leaves?

Identify and remedy the underlying cause – improve soil conditions, eliminate pests, treat diseases, remedy cultural issues. Proper diagnosis is key.

Should I spray for cherry leaf curl?

Preventively spraying copper fungicide at leaf emergence and petal fall can deter diseases like leaf curl. Organic options include sulfur and lime sulfur.

Restore the Health of Your Cherry Tree

Curled, wrinkled or cupped leaves on your cherry tree are never normal. This distortion indicates some underlying issue is interfering with healthy leaf growth and development.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of problems like pests, diseases, water stress and other factors can get your cherry leaves back on track. But the longer curled leaves persist, the higher the impacts to tree vigor and productivity.

At the first sign of curling, thoroughly assess all potential causes and take corrective care. With timely treatment, you can restore the beauty and function of your cherry tree leaves. Your rapid response helps ensure your cherry trees thrive for years to come.