Damson (Prunus insititia)

Monilinia is a genus of ascomycete fungi that causes blossom blight and brown rot in fruit trees. It spreads most rapidly in cool, wet weather, particularly during the bloom period. Symptoms include flowers that turn brown and remain attached to the shoots, small tan spots on fruit that expand into gray-beige spore rings (sporodochia), twig dieback, and 'mummified' fruit that shrivels and often persists on the tree. It primarily affects stone fruits (peach, nectarine, apricot, plum, cherry) but can also infect pome fruits such as apple and pear.

Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.

Stigmina carpophila (syn. Wilsonomyces carpophilus) is a fungus that primarily affects stone fruits: peach, apricot, plum, cherry, and almond. It is activated by rain, humidity, and mild temperatures, especially between late autumn, winter, and spring. Typical symptoms include small round spots on the leaves that dry out and fall off, leaving holes like buckshot; dark, rough spots appear on the fruit which may crack; cracks and gum exudation (gummosis) are noted on branches and young shoots. It is also known as 'shot hole disease' of stone fruits.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.