Pacific Northwest 1998 An Online Guide to Plant Disease Control

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OSU Extension Office
 
Cherry -- Cherry Twisted Leaf
 
Cause: The Cherry twisted leaf virus is not common and occurs irregularly in the Pacific Northwest. It is easily transmitted by grafting. The disease spreads in the orchard but there are no known vectors. 'Bing' and 'Rainer' are susceptible.
Symptoms: The most consistent symptom is an abrupt kink in the midrib or the petiole, which causes the leaf to appear twisted. Leaves frequently develop asymmetrically or stay small. Spurs appear bunchy due to shortened internodes. Once the tree is infected, the disease spreads rapidly to all branches. Symptoms occur each year on infected trees, but their severity is variable: generally, more severe in older trees of medium vigor.

Note how the leaf midrib is curved, causing the leaf to have a twisted apearence.

 
Cultural control:

  1. Remove infected trees.
  2. Plant trees certified as virus-tested (and found to be free of all known viruses).
Content edited by: Jay W. Pscheidt on January 1, 2009
 
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