AS THE cherry blossom fades elsewhere Irene Pavitt's once beautiful bronze leaf specimen has faded away completely.

She tells me: “Our bronze leaf cherry tree has succumbed to a nasty little 'maggot' that is under the bark and has drilled tiny holes into the tree underneath.

“The critter in question is under a quarter of an inch in length and it would appear that the tree is dead as there are no signs of life! “Once the bark has dropped off, it looks as though there is 'woodworm' in the trunk.

“Have you any idea as to what this could be and if so, do you think it could affect other trees or shrubs in the vicinity?” The problem you describe, Irene, is one of a number of borers that can affect a wide variety of trees - but they don't usually attack those that are not in distress.

It is the larvae that get under the bark and feed on the wood – hence the holes.

Trees weakened by sun scorch, lawnmower or strimmer injury, drought or poorly drained soil are open to damage.

Water cherry trees well during drought.

Add compost or manure to the top four inches of soil and cover that with four inches of woodchip or other organic mulch. Finally, add some slow release blood, fish and bone.

Pyrethrin-based bark sprays can work well on the trunk and main limbs, but judging the timing is difficult as it has to be on the bark between egg-hatching and when they plan to bore into the tree – only a matter of days.

All sadly much too late for Irene's cherry.

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