Pest identification
What's eating my prunus 'spire'?
Cherry blackfly (Myzus cerasi)
Signs: Tightly curled, blackened shoot tips on new spring growth; sticky honeydew promotes sooty mould on leaves below.
Control: Early intervention with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Encourage natural enemies — do not use broad-spectrum insecticides in blossom.
Winter moth caterpillars (Operophtera brumata)
Signs: Caterpillars eat through flower buds and young foliage in spring, causing holes and ragged edges across new leaves.
Control: Grease bands applied in October around the trunk. Spinosad spray targets larvae during April feeding period.
Bullfinches
Signs: Strip flower buds along branches from December onwards, drastically reducing spring blossom on the compact, upright crown.
Control: Net small, young trees from December to March. Moving nearby bird feeders may partially redirect bullfinch attention.
Keep prunus 'spire' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Prunus 'Spire' pests — FAQ
What is eating my prunus 'spire'?
Prunus 'Spire' (columnar cherry) shares the typical ornamental cherry pest complex: cherry blackfly disfigures spring shoots, winter moth caterpillars attack buds, and bullfinches strip flower buds in late winter. Squirrels may chew young bark. Cherry blackfly is the most consistent annual problem on this cultivar.
How do I get rid of cherry blackfly (myzus cerasi) on prunus 'spire'?
Tightly curled, blackened shoot tips on new spring growth; sticky honeydew promotes sooty mould on leaves below. Early intervention with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Encourage natural enemies — do not use broad-spectrum insecticides in blossom.
How do I get rid of winter moth caterpillars (operophtera brumata) on prunus 'spire'?
Caterpillars eat through flower buds and young foliage in spring, causing holes and ragged edges across new leaves. Grease bands applied in October around the trunk. Spinosad spray targets larvae during April feeding period.
How do I get rid of bullfinches on prunus 'spire'?
Strip flower buds along branches from December onwards, drastically reducing spring blossom on the compact, upright crown. Net small, young trees from December to March. Moving nearby bird feeders may partially redirect bullfinch attention.