I have a cherry tree with several grafted cherry varieties. It seems the Rainers have some sort of blight on the lower branches. The branches are totally denuded although there are cherries/leaves on the upper branches.
This problem has gotten worse in the past few years. I spray a dormant spray in winter and have sprayed in spring, alas probably too late.
I hate to spray too often.

Does anyone have ideas about what this might be and suggestions about getting rid of the culprit?

Rebecca

Rebecca, your cherry tree's symptoms sound all too familiar... I watched one of three cherry trees die a slow death from Bacterial Gummosis. The "worst" part was I needed it as a pollinator for two "miss-marked" cherry trees that had become beautiful - non-fruiting specimens. They apparently dodged this Bacterium, and like several "wild" cherry seedlings growing in the woods nearby, were not eventually killed by Gummosis.
I'd bet, with the "multiple grafted" tree (another problem-prone aspect of such "fruit cocktail trees"...), one or two (in your case the "Rainer") varieties will be more susceptible to this than the others. It was an easy search - I remembered it was "a bacterium" - here's a description / answer online @: http://www.gov.on.ca/OMAFRA/english/cro ... 88-086.htm

It looks like they'll need more than just dormant oil... and that bothered me too ~ that's why I "turned" all three of them into Desert King Figs! They're loaded with figs and growing magnificently!! (with no spray)

Viron,

Thanks for the very helpful information. Looks like you've correctly diagnosed my tree's problem. The info from Ontario agriculture of course was useful but treatment is designed for large orchards.

I will check with Extension service and do some pruning. And your figs sound wonderful.

Thanks again for the help and advice. Much appreciated

Rebecca