Ants on my cherry tree?

[WelshGirl]

About a month ago I planted a Summer Sun cherry tree in the garden, and since then I've noticed the occasional black ant walking up and down the trunk which I've brushed off and not thought anything of. However, this morning I noticed rather a few more ants gathered around the just-opening leaf buds on the top branches.
So... Will the ants harm the tree? And how do I get rid of them?
My mum suggested pouring boiling water on them, but as they're actually on the tree, surely boiling water will hurt the tree too?

[Nicos]

Have you checked the tree for cherry Aphid??- the ants would certainly be milking them if that's what the problem is?

Definitely NO boiling water on the tree!!!!!..what are mums like???
...do you think she actually meant on the nest in the ground????
Sprinkling polenta around the nest will help kill the ants off.

[crichmond]

You can stop the ants climbing the tree by using grease bands around the trunk, but as Nicos says they maybe milking aphids so that is another problem you may need to sort out. I know that greenfly are about as the new growth on the roses in the front garden have them on, so it looks like its time to spray with the mix of water, washing up liquid and rubarb leaf liquid.

[FB.]

As mentioned; the ants will be farming aphids on the new shoots.
The ants milk the aphids and in return, the aphids get the ants to protect them from predators such as ladybird and hoverflay larva.

Killing or removing the aphids will cause the ants to lose interest.

Preventing the ants climbing the tree will allow predators to attack the aphids without the ants fighting them off.

[WelshGirl]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I've been out and had a good look over the tree, and there aren't any aphids on it.
I've been looking for an ants nest nearby as well, but I haven't come across it yet... So, without aphids for the ants to protect, will the ants on their own do any damage to the tree?

[FB.]

It has been claimed that ants will carry aphids form somewhere else, to start new colonies. I would keep a close watch on what is happening. Sooner or later, either the ants will transport aphids, or aphids will arrive for the ants to farm.
A week or two ago, my apples had ants running around. Now the aphids are appearing.

[crichmond]

If you get a tub of vaseline or grease you can use this to paint a band of it round the tree about 1.5ft from the ground and a couple of inches wide, this acts the same as buying boltac grease bands except that you cant just peel it off like grease bands. To remove it you need to use a rag to rub it off or a rag and soapy water.

[galadriel123]

FB, just read about the ants and aphids, - ive got them in my cherry tree. Now ive got an additional question - the aphids seem to shrivel up the leafs? will it damage my tree? it seems the new shots are being shriveled up aswell, will it do any lasting damage to my tree, to leave the aphids there? or if necessary - how do i get rid of them? (With least amoutn of poison if poss....)
its my first little cherry tree and i am very attached to it, want it healthy and happy...

[FB.]

The aphids are sucking the energy-carrying sap out of the leaves - excessive aphid attack will stunt a tree.

The twisted leaves provide protection to the aphids and there is some loss of sunlight-gathering ability. Aphid attacks can also cause new shoots to grow in a rather twisted fashion, which may spoil the shape that you're trying to grow.

Large established trees can live with the aphid attacks, but small young trees will be stunted and disfigured.
On young trees, use a water pistol to blast off the aphids before the attack reaches epidemic proportions. Spraying chemicals on the tree (unless it's a systemic insecticide which must be used with extreme care) won't help because the aphids are protected inside the curled-up leaves and the sprays won't touch them. Besides - chemicals may leave residues in the fruit, which you will then eat.

[BFG]

It has been claimed that ants will carry aphids form somewhere else, to start new colonies. I would keep a close watch on what is happening. Sooner or later, either the ants will transport aphids, or aphids will arrive for the ants to farm.
A week or two ago, my apples had ants running around. Now the aphids are appearing.

Apparently they overwinter them underground too. Very clever little things.

[sandcastle11]

I also have ants on my Sweet Cherry tree. They are eating my cherries. ALL OF THEM!!! I don't see any damage to the leaves or the tree itself, but I don't think there are many undamaged cherries left! Any suggestions.

[Waterpally]

Hello All,

Not trying to be a thread necromancer but I'm trying cherry trees for the first time. My cherry tree from last year has started to do exactly what you guys and gals are talking about. There are sugar ants on it and the aphids have started curling up the leaves into little homes and the sugar ants are having a good time of it all and they all seem happy.

Problem is like everyone has talked about. My cherry tree is just a baby and they're starting to make it grow all weird. I did like I was taught to as a boy, and whenever something was doing something you didn't like, you sprayed it with water. So I sprayed it all down yesterday liberally.

If I do that every two days or so, will that discourage them? I don't want to kill them off due to ethical / moral reasons. I just don't want my tree to be mutated. I want it to be able to grow first before they make it their home. It seems only fair.

If I keep the tree washed off will that help? I'm making sure to get underneath the leaves also... I have planted one more about two months ago, and a third yesterday. I just want to make sure I have this tactic locked down so they can mature for a few years before the sugar ants and aphids nestle in for the long haul.

Thanks!

[AkionTotocha]

I hate aphids, and I hate black ants.

For separate reasons.

But I have aphid/ant teamwork even more.

-But try a combination of vaseline around the base of the trunk, and a strong washing up liquid solution sprayed onto the aphids.

Ants find their way around by following pheromones, so try rubbing something that smells strong above the vaseline line. Like Ginger, Garlic, Onion or Lemon. I'm not sure how well it would work to disrupt or mask the scent, but it's worth trying as an experiment. Ants defend the aphids. If it was up to the aphids on their own then they would get eaten by natural predators. But ants fight them off. If you take away the ants, the aphids don't have any natural protection.

[StephenH]

I've noticed a few small ants among the blossom on my apples, but no aphids. I don't know that ants do any harm, except indirectly by farming aphids, so I ignored them.

[DuncanM]

If you get a tub of vaseline or grease you can use this to paint a band of it round the tree about 1.5ft from the ground and a couple of inches wide, this acts the same as buying boltac grease bands

I put vaseline on all my trees/bushes at home last night (9 apples, 1 cherry and 4 blackcurrant) that are covered in ants. Unfortunately the ants just climbed right through the vaseline as if it wasn't there it was put on in generous quantities too.