Question
We have a flowering Japanese Cherry tree that has bloomed beautiful pink flowers until last spring and this spring. Half of it is white flowers and half is very small pink buds. What has happened? It is about 15 years old.
Answer(s)
Since this is the second year showing problems with flowering, the problem may have started as long as three years ago. Flowering cherry trees are relatively short life.
Here is a link to Clemson University Extension fact sheet on ornamental flowering trees including cherry. Click on http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/pdf/hgic1018.pdf
Listed under problems, is this excerpt:
Flowering cherries are susceptible to many problems, including cherry virus diseases, canker, twig blight, root rot, powdery mildew, bacterial and fungal leaf spots, borers, aphids, tent caterpillar, and scale. Bark is thin and easily damaged by mowers and string trimmers. Reduce chances of disease and insects by keeping trees healthy with irrigation in extended drought and regular fertilizer applications.
So problems may be age related, reaching end of life span.
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