A dead infected black cherry branch (left),and a newly infected live black cherry branch (right).
Taken from a tree beside the FMO.
Black knot is a fungus that feeds on prunus trees (cherry, chokecherry, plums and prunes). The spores (called ascospores) of the fungus are spread by the wind and splashing rain in springtime - now.
The fungus has spread throughout Deerwood and surrounding forest. My mom has for years pruned the infected branches along her private road. This has been a good practice, as the fungus enters woodlands along open boundries. However, black knot has been here for many years. It is a rare black cherry tree which has not been affected. Countless mature black cherry trees have their entire trunks encased in mounds of black knot.
A mature tree suffers black knot death.The solution? The trees must be pruned back if possible, but most of the mature cherry trees have to be cut down and the fungus put to the flame. This drastic action is the only way to ensure future generations of Deerwood cherry trees will be disease free. And it will take years to cut and burn the fungus out.
The black cherry tree is important to many woodland animals for the small cherry fruit (mast) which they eat. Bears will often bend saplings over to get to the cherries.
Recovering the health of Deerwood's black cherry population is a top priority.
For more information about this fungus, follow the link to the Manitoba Agriculture webpage on Black Knot.
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