What's eating my prunus 'kanzan'?

Prunus 'Kanzan' (Japanese flowering cherry) faces aphids, cherry blackfly, and winter moth caterpillars on its foliage, while birds and squirrels target buds. Silver leaf fungus often follows pruning wounds. Aphids and blackfly are the most consistently damaging pests across both UK and US gardens.

Dense black colonies on shoot tips and undersides of young leaves cause severe curling and stunted new growth in spring. Encourage natural predators. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil when colonies appear; avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that kill beneficials.

Tiny looping caterpillars eat into opening buds and young leaves in spring, causing ragged holes and partial defoliation. Apply grease bands around trunk and stakes in autumn to trap wingless females. Biological nematode spray (Steinernema carpocapsae) for larvae.

Strip flower buds systematically along branches in winter and early spring, severely reducing the blossom display. Drape fine netting over small trees during the risk period (December–March). No licensed deterrent is reliably effective long-term.