Hi, We bought a snow fountain weeping cherry tree last year and I just noticed recently that it has started to look a little sick and today I noticed the leaves are turning brown. I was wondering if this was maybe a fungal infection from the ridiculous amount of rain this year? If so, how do I save it?
It could be…fruit tree are highly susceptible to fungal diseases and the wet, humid summer we’re having just makes it worse. You might want to bring a sample in to the garden center so they can see it and suggest one of the several fungicides we stock.
Another thing to check is if there is mulch piled up against the bark of the tree at the base. This strangles the tree and slowly kills it…which can result in browning leaves. It also weakens the tree making it easier for pests and diseases to take hold. Get down there and brush the mulch away from the trunk of the tree until you find the original soil and keep it that way. If the bark can’t “breathe”, the tree struggles badly. It seems to be a recent trend to pile mulch in piles against the trunks of trees and it is a deadly trend.