Hello,

It sounds like your cherry tree might be dealing with a common issue. Let’s explore some possibilities:

Shot-Hole Disease: This disease affects ornamental flowering cherries and even edible cherry varieties. It creates small, random holes in the leaves, resembling someone shot them with a shotgun. While it doesn’t harm the tree significantly, it can cause premature leaf drop. To manage it, remove dead leaves and consider spraying a fungicide in early spring. More information at this link:

Shot-hole disease on Cherry Leaves | Growing & Mowing in Bartow County (uga.edu)

Brown Rot: This affects Kwanzan flowering cherry trees. You might notice white fungus on the bark with purple-brown conks. These conks release spores during wet conditions, infecting trees through open wounds. More information at this link:

American brown rot - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)

Cherry Leaf Spot: Caused by the pathogenic fungi Apiognomonia erythrostoma and Blumeriella jaapii, this disease leads to shriveled, brown leaves that hang on the tree throughout winter or yellowed, mottled leaves that drop prematurely. More information at this ink: **This is what I believe you have! **

Cherry leaf spot - Integrated Pest Management (msu.edu)

Cytospora Canker: While less common, it can cause dieback in branches and affect cherry trees. Pruning infected branches during the dormant season helps manage it.

Powdery Mildew: Affects many fruit trees, including cherries. It appears as a white powdery substance on leaves. Fungicides can help prevent it. More information at this link:

Cherry Powdery Mildew – Questions and Answers from 2017 | WSU Tree Fruit | Washington State University

I recommend you send all your images by e-mail to the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Lab for a confirm and precise identification. The experts there can also provide you with the best treatment options. Their email is <personal data hidden> - Please include your name – The lab will let you know if they need a sample sent. FYI – The lab may also ask for additional images too.

Their website is at this link:

Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

Their Contact Information is at this link:

Contact Us - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

If the lab wants you to submit a sample, this link will explain the details on submitting a sample to MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Lab:

Submit Samples - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

I hope this helps!