Peach tree borers are the most common pests of cherry trees (Prunus). They lay eggs on the bark of cherry trees in summer, and adult moths emerge from the eggs in late spring the following year. A mature larva, which resembles a worm, is about 1 1/4 inches long and has a light-color body and a darker head. Following a protective, pro-active spraying schedule annually cures the problem of peach tree borers in cherry trees. Cherry trees grow well in full sun exposure and well-drained soil in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, depending on their variety.
Wait until the cherry trees' pink bud bloom stage in spring to spray them. Put on safety glasses, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves for protection before you handle the spray.
Remove the lid on a garden sprayer by turning it counterclockwise and lifting it straight upward.
Pour 1/2 gallon of water from a garden hose into the sprayer's tank. Slowly pour 1 ounce of Chlorpyrifos 4E concentrate into the sprayer's tank. Pick up the sprayer, and swirl it slowly in a circle. Add 1/2 gallon of water to the sprayer's tank while continuously swirling the sprayer's contents. Replace the sprayer's lid, and tighten it clockwise.
Pump the sprayer handle up and down to pressurize the sprayer's contents. Turn the end of the sprayer's nozzle to a low-flow setting to avoid splattering the insecticide. The sprayer's contents should run out of the nozzle in a fine mist.
Direct the sprayer's nozzle at the first set of lateral limbs on each cherry tree. Spray those branches on all sides of each cherry tree to the point that the spray runs off the branches, but do not let the spray touch any leaves on the limbs. The spray can cause premature leaf drop in sweet cherry trees.
Spray all sides of the trunk of each cherry tree below the first set of lateral limbs, spraying thoroughly until the insecticide pools on the ground.
Treat the cherry trees with the same spray in two weeks and after harvest in the same manner to eliminate tree borers.
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Things You Will Need
- Safety glasses
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Garden hose
- Garden sprayer
- Chlorpyrifos 4E concentrate
- Use the spray schedule each year to avoid damage to young cherry trees. Damage includes girdling and death.
- Do not re-enter the area of the treated cherry trees for four days without wearing protective clothing.
- Do not use Chlorpyrifos 4E within 21 days of harvesting cherries.
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