Little cherry virus 1 (LChV1), Little cherry virus 2 (LChV2) and X-disease phytoplasma cause small cherry symptoms often described as ‘Little Cherry’ or ‘X-disease.’ Diseased trees produce cherries of small size and poor color and flavor making the fruit unmarketable. X disease is at epidemic levels in the Columbia River basin, with high incidence in Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties and in The Dalles, Oregon area.
Timely scouting and aggressive tree removal are essential to reduce the spread of the disease. Infected trees spread the pathogen to neighboring trees by insect vectors or via root-grafting from tree-to-tree. Infected trees can not be cured and MUST be removed entirely. This guide is designed to provide information on symptoms, scouting and sampling to encourage effective tree removal and management.