What's eating my sargent cherry bonsai?

Sargent Cherry bonsai share Prunus family vulnerabilities but are considered more resistant than many ornamental cherries. Aphids are the most frequent problem in spring, followed by tent caterpillars in summer. Scale insects and borers are secondary threats. Regular inspection during the growing season is the best defense.

Soft-bodied colonies on new shoot tips; curled or sticky leaves, honeydew secretions, and sooty mold on foliage below Dislodge with a strong water jet; neem oil or insecticidal soap for persistent infestations; encourage natural predators outdoors

Silken communal nests in branch forks; larvae exit to feed on leaves and can strip branches bare in a few days Remove nests by hand; Bt spray applied to young caterpillars before they disperse; prune out any nest-bearing shoots

Hard or waxy shells on bark, weakening branches through sap drain; sooty mold on sticky honeydew below Dormant horticultural oil in late winter; scrape off visible scales; summer oil application for persistent populations