Photographs and detailed information on the large number of diseases that can affect this crop and their control. This disease can be the limiting factor against establishing a cherry orchard in the Pacific Northwest. Two common genetic traits increase the bacteria’s ability to cause disease. Most produce a powerful plant toxin, syringomycin, that destroys plant tissues as bacteria multiply in a wound. Bacteria also produce a protein that acts as an ice nucleus, increasing frost wounds that bacteria easily colonize and expand. Factors include wounds, frost damage, early dormant season pruning, incorrect soil pH, and poor nutrition. Infection by other pathogens including Cytospora, Verticillium, and Nectria can lead to more bacterial canker. Ring nematodes have also been associated with increased susceptibility to bacteria canker in both cherry and peach. Sources of bacteria include old cankers, healthy buds, systemic infections within trees with or without cankers, as epiphytes on leaf surfaces, weeds, grasses, and even soil. Wind, rain, insects, infected bud wood, and infected nursery stock can spread bacteria.

Website: http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/plant_searchResults.cfm?host_see=Cherry