Pest identification
What's eating my crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia'?
Hawthorn aphid (Dysaphis crataegi)
Signs: Tight red-tinged leaf curls on new growth; honeydew and sooty mold on lower leaves
Control: Insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray in early spring; attract or release aphid predators; prune infested shoot tips
Winter moth caterpillars (Operophtera brumata)
Signs: Ragged leaf holes and silk webbing on spring foliage; flower buds may be eaten
Control: Grease bands on trunk from October to February; Bt spray targeting young caterpillars; hand-remove silk bundles
Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora)
Signs: Rapid browning of flowers and shoot tips; dark sunken cankers; shepherd's-crook wilting
Control: Remove infected branches at least 60 cm into healthy tissue; sterilize tools; do not compost infected material
Birds (blackbirds, thrushes, redwings)
Signs: Berries stripped from late September into winter
Control: Desirable wildlife benefit; no action needed unless specific crop protection is required
Keep crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' pests — FAQ
What is eating my crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia'?
Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' shares the hawthorn pest complex: hawthorn aphids curl spring foliage, caterpillars chew leaves, and fireblight can devastate branches. Its large persistent berries are eagerly eaten by birds in autumn. Good air circulation through pruning reduces the risk of aphid and fungal pressure building up.
How do I get rid of hawthorn aphid (dysaphis crataegi) on crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia'?
Tight red-tinged leaf curls on new growth; honeydew and sooty mold on lower leaves Insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray in early spring; attract or release aphid predators; prune infested shoot tips
How do I get rid of winter moth caterpillars (operophtera brumata) on crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia'?
Ragged leaf holes and silk webbing on spring foliage; flower buds may be eaten Grease bands on trunk from October to February; Bt spray targeting young caterpillars; hand-remove silk bundles
How do I get rid of fireblight (erwinia amylovora) on crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia'?
Rapid browning of flowers and shoot tips; dark sunken cankers; shepherd's-crook wilting Remove infected branches at least 60 cm into healthy tissue; sterilize tools; do not compost infected material
How do I get rid of birds (blackbirds, thrushes, redwings) on crataegus persimilis 'prunifolia'?
Berries stripped from late September into winter Desirable wildlife benefit; no action needed unless specific crop protection is required