Troubleshooting
Prunus padus problems — and how to fix them
Prunus padus (Prunus padus) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Bird cherry-oat aphid
This aphid colonises spring foliage heavily, curling leaves; damage is largely cosmetic and natural predators usually clear it.
Bird-cherry ermine moth
Caterpillars spin conspicuous silken webs that can defoliate the tree in early summer; trees almost always re-flush and recover.
Suckering
Bird cherry readily produces root suckers and self-seeds freely; remove unwanted suckers and seedlings to keep it in bounds.
Bacterial canker
Causes gummy bark lesions and dieback; prune affected wood in summer and avoid wounding the trunk.
Prevent prunus padus problems before they start
Most prunus padus issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for prunus padus in general rather than its problems? Read the full prunus padus care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Prunus padus problems — FAQ
Why is my prunus padus bird cherry-oat aphid?
This aphid colonises spring foliage heavily, curling leaves; damage is largely cosmetic and natural predators usually clear it.
Why is my prunus padus bird-cherry ermine moth?
Caterpillars spin conspicuous silken webs that can defoliate the tree in early summer; trees almost always re-flush and recover.
Why is my prunus padus suckering?
Bird cherry readily produces root suckers and self-seeds freely; remove unwanted suckers and seedlings to keep it in bounds.
Why is my prunus padus bacterial canker?
Causes gummy bark lesions and dieback; prune affected wood in summer and avoid wounding the trunk.