We have a choke cherry tree and the leaves are dying, there were no berries this year. We have noticed that there is a green fungi growing on the bark and branches of the tree. Some of the leaves have little green things that look like tiny worms, and are stuck in the leaves.These can't be removed without tearing the leaf.
2006-09-08 02:01:30 · 3 answers · asked by joaniehoughton 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Many people mistake that green stuff growing on tree trunks as a fungus, but it IS NOT! It is called a lichen! It does NO harm what so ever to your trees. Spraying your tree with a fungicide will do nothing to the lichen (because it is not a fungus).
Now, those little things on the leaves that look like little worms, that is an insect that is laying eggs in the leaves of the plant. I have seen this before.. if you try to pick one off, you end up pulling the leaf away with it. Here's a picture: http://hflp.sdstate.edu/IMAGES/HACKGALL.JPG
Sounds like you have a lot going on. You should probably contact your local extension service. They can help you with soil tests (which you should have done), they can tell you if you need to fertilize and what you can do with those little wormy things on your leaves.
Sounds like your tree needs a little TLC! Without knowing where you are and the tree type this is the best info I can give you.
2006-09-08 02:50:19 · answer #1 · answered by plantmd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the green stuff grows only on the North side of the tree , that is moss. The worms are a separate problem
2006-09-08 02:06:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
moss appears to be the fungus . but more worrisome is the little caterpillars that are munching away merrily ; try making a mixture of garlic ( not too strong ) water and white oil (again not too strong ) in a spray bottle ; and give that a go , remembering to do under the leaves as well the top , and indeed the the branches .
2006-09-08 02:10:37 · answer #3 · answered by bill g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The green stuff isn't fungus, it's algae. It probably isn't damaging your tree, but the worms may be some kind of larvae that are eating the leaves. Insecticides will probably poison your fruit, but there are natural insecticides that you can make at home with Listerine, dish soap, garlic and tobacco juice.
2006-09-08 02:09:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the same stuff that is growing on your teeth from not brushing.
2006-09-08 02:03:00 · answer #5 · answered by sling_blade1974 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are called LICHENs
they do not normally kill trees.
2006-09-08 02:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by deltaxray7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋