X-disease phytoplasma (Western X)

Little Cherry Disease is caused by Western X Phytoplasma as well as Little cherry virus 1 (LChV1) and Little cherry virus 2 (LChV2). Diseased trees produce cherries of small size and poor color and flavor making the fruit unmarketable. Western X is at epidemic levels in the Columbia River basin, with high incidence from Yakima, Benton, and Franklin counties, and present in Oregon around Hood River.