What's eating my prunus maackii?

Manchurian cherry shares the Prunus pest complex: aphids colonise new growth in spring, caterpillars skeletonise leaves in summer, and bacterial canker or silver leaf fungus cause branch dieback. Shot-hole disease produces distinctive perforated leaves. Black cherry aphid is the most common nuisance on this ornamental tree.

Dense black colonies tightly curl young shoot tips, stunting new growth; heavy honeydew leads to sooty mould Encourage blue tits and beneficial insects; apply fatty-acid or pyrethrin-based spray to colonies; pinch out heavily infested shoot tips

Pale, winding mines through leaves from midsummer; affected leaves brown and drop early Remove and bin (not compost) heavily mined leaves; no insecticide treatment is reliably effective — tree vigour is rarely harmed

Small brown spots on leaves that fall out, leaving clean round holes resembling shotgun damage Prune out affected shoots in dry weather; avoid wetting foliage; improve air circulation; copper-based fungicide as a preventive in autumn

Fraying and stripping of bark on young trunks as deer rub antlers; browsing of low branches Fit a deer-proof stake guard or tree shelter on newly planted specimens in deer-prone areas