Shot hole disease (coryneum)

Small purple spots that fall out: leaves look riddled with shot. Common on cherry, plum, apricot and peach trees.

How to recognise

• Check that the spots drop out leaving small round holes.
• Also look for spots and gum on the twigs.

What to do

• Remove badly affected twigs when pruning, outside humid periods.
• Collect fallen leaves to limit reinfection.

Prevent

• Avoid wetting the foliage; watch after rainy springs.

Trees affected