Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Examine the spots to see if they are falling out to create holes.
- Check if the spots have a yellow halo around them.
- Look at the ground to see if fallen leaves are covered in spots.
Likely causes
Shot hole disease
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see small, reddish spots that eventually drop out, leaving holes that look like buckshot. This is very common in stone fruits during wet springs.
What to do: Clean up and destroy all fallen leaves around the base of the tree to remove fungal spores. Apply a fungicide labeled for stone fruits in early spring before the buds break.
Bacterial leaf spot
PossibleHow to tell: Spots appear as small, angular, dark lesions that may have a yellow halo. These spots often appear on the leaves and sometimes on the fruit.
What to do: Prune out any dead or severely infected twigs during dry weather. Ensure the tree has good air circulation by thinning out crowded branches.
Find out what's wrong with your cherry plum
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Minor spotting is common in late summer, but if the tree loses its leaves prematurely, it needs treatment. If the spots are on the fruit, it may affect your harvest.
Stopping it coming back
Water at the base of the tree rather than overhead to keep the foliage dry. Proper pruning to increase airflow will significantly reduce fungal growth.
Cherry plum: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cherry plum and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Are these spots contagious to other trees?
- Yes, fungal spores can spread through wind and rain to other stone fruit trees nearby. Keep your trees spaced well apart to minimize spread.
- Should I spray the whole tree?
- If the infection is widespread, a preventative fungicide spray in early spring is the most effective approach. Always follow the label instructions for your specific product.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Cherry plum
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.