Stem Pitting

Several causes

36 host plants

Last updated

Data Maturity Baseline

This profile contains verified disease data from extension databases. Regional field notes and expert review are in progress.

You'll see longitudinal depressions in cherry wood (Prunus cerasifera 'Bing'), especially severe pitting in the scion. Multiple viruses cause this including tomato ringspot virus and an unknown graft-transmitted agent. Plant certified virus-free stock and use 'Colt' rootstock to prevent nematode transmission. Roguing infected trees stops further spread in young orchards.

Plant certified nursery stock. Remove diseased trees. Remove infected material promptly and improve growing conditions to limit pathogen spread. Good sanitation, adequate spacing, and proper irrigation practices reduce disease pressure over time.

Quick Reference

Causal Agent
Several causes
Host Plants
36

Management

Cultural Controls

  • Plant certified nursery stock. Remove diseased trees. Use colt rootstock. References Uyemoto, J.K., Luhn, C.F., Griesback, J.A., and Grant, J.A. 1995. Occurrence and control of cherry stem pitting disease. Plant Disease. 79:366-368. Zhang, Y.P., Uyemoto, J.K., and Kirkpatrick, B.C. 1998. Analysis of double-stranded RNAs from cherry trees with stem pitting in California. Plant Disease 82:871-874.

Host Plants (36)

Prunus americana Wild Plum American (Red) Plum August Plum, Goose Plum Prunus armeniaca Apricot Prunus avium Sweet Cherry Prunus besseyi Sand Cherry, Western Sand Cherry Prunus blireiana Blireiana Plum Prunus caroliniana Carolina Cherrylaurel American Cherrylaurel Prunus cascade Prunus cascade Prunus cerasifera Cherry, Plum Prunus cistena Purpleleaf Sandcherry Redleaf Sandcherry Cistena Sandcherry Cistena Plum Prunus dream Prunus dream Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry, Wild Cherry, Quinine Cherry Prunus first Prunus first Prunus fruticosa Steppe Cherry, European Dwarf Ground Cherry, Mongolian Cherry Prunus glandulosa Dwarf Flowering Almond Prunus ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry, Holly-leaved Cherry Prunus laurocerasus Cherry, Laurel Prunus lusitanica Portugal Laurel Prunus maackii Amur Chokecherry Amur Cherry, Manchurian Cherry Prunus mume Japanese Apricotc Japanese Flowering Apricot Japanese Flowering Plum Prunus newport Newport Flowering Plum Prunus okame Okame Flowering Cherry Prunus padus European Birdcherry Common Birdcherry Prunus prostrata Rock Cherry, Mountain Cherry Prunus sargentii Sargent Cherry, Sargent's Cherry Prunus serotina Black Cherry, Rum Cherry Prunus serrula Birchbark Cherry, Paperbark Cherry, Tibetan Cherry Prunus serrulata Japanese Flowering Cherry Prunus snow Prunus snow Prunus subcordata Klamath Plum, Sierra Plum, Pacific Plum Prunus subhirtella Higan Cherry Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry Prunus tai Prunus tai Prunus virginiana Prunus virginiana Prunus virginiana var. demissa Western Chokecherry Prunus virginiana var. virginiana Common Chokecherry, Eastern Chokecherry Prunus yedoensis Yoshino Cherry, Somei-yoshino Cherry, Tokyo Cherry