I'm probably going to have to cut down my cherry tree this year. I moved into this house in 2006, and gradually, year by year, branches of this cherry tree died, although the fruit it did put out looked okay. I think it died of bacterial canker. It had plenty of spots, some of them quite big, where resin leaked out of it. And unfortunately, I noticed a spot like that on my peach tree as well. Questions: Is the peach tree doomed as well? I only noticed one, maybe two, spots. If I cut the cherry tree down, can I use the wood for firewood? How do I get the stump and roots out? Could I plant another tree on that same spot? Ever? Could I plant another cherry, another fruit tree, a nut tree, or a nonedible tree like a maple? How can I prevent this from happening again? Are my other trees or bushes in danger? I have the huge peach tree about 20 feet away, a small crabapple across the yard, some young blueberry bushes, several small lilac bushes, a maple, a huge ash, and some other trees I haven't identified. Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for any responses.
Cherries, peaches, plums,etc are all in the same family (Prunus) and yes canker will spread from on to another and your peach tree is doomed as well. You can apply chemicals every year to keep damage at a minimal, but that gets costly and you can't cure it. DO NOT plant any tree of these species in the same area as it will spread from old roots to new trees. I had to take down a plum and peach tree a few years ago and planted a Red bud in the same location. The Red bud is now longer there (infected and I had to remove it). It can jump some species of trees. Any pruning you do, you need to sanitize your pruners/saw between cuts unless you are removing the whole tree and then sanitize. Talk with your county agent or local Ag dept for more detailed information. Yes you can burn the wood. Hope this helps. Ron
