Shothole

Shothole appears as small circular lesions on cherry and plum leaves, often surrounded by a reddish or purplish halo. As the disease progresses, the centers of these spots die and drop out, leaving the characteristic holes that give the disease its name. You'll notice this most prominently in late spring through early summer when leaves are fully expanded, particularly after periods of wet weather in Western Washington.

While shothole doesn't usually kill ornamental cherries, it can reduce the aesthetic appeal of your trees significantly and occasionally show up on fruit. The disease overwinters on buds and bark, which is why pruning out infected twigs and removing fallen leaves is so important. Avoid overhead watering and ensure good air circulation around trees to keep foliage dry, since moisture is essential for the fungus to spread.