Some cherry and plum trees in the central Ohio area are turning black from a fungal disease. Here's what you need to know.

Spread of the disease The fungus which causes black knot overwinters in knots on twigs and branches and in the infected wood immediately surrounding the knots.

Symptoms The black knot fungus attacks twigs and branches with infections starting on the youngest growth on the tree. Infected trees will have brown gall-like structures called knots enveloping ...

Symptoms The black knot fungus attacks twigs and branches with infections starting on the youngest growth on the tree. Infected trees will have brown gall-like structures called knots enveloping ...

Symptoms The black knot fungus attacks twigs and branches with infections starting on the youngest growth on the tree. Infected trees will have brown gall-like structures called knots enveloping ...

Symptoms The black knot fungus attacks twigs and branches with infections starting on the youngest growth on the tree. Infected trees will have brown gall-like structures called knots enveloping ...

Symptoms The black knot fungus attacks twigs and branches with infections starting on the youngest growth on the tree. Infected trees will have brown gall-like structures called knots enveloping ...

Symptoms The black knot fungus attacks twigs and branches with infections starting on the youngest growth on the tree. Infected trees will have brown gall-like structures called knots enveloping ...

Black knot, caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa, has been identified in several cherry trees in Columbus. While the fungus primarily attacks cherry and plum trees, it can also infect apricots ...