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Akebono Cherry trees and Portuguese Laurel Being Eaten and Dying #873320

Asked June 16, 2024, 2:16 PM EDT

I have 5 out of 10 Akebono (spelling?) Decorative Cherry trees and Portuguese Laurel hedges that are being eaten by something and eaten. The leaves have holes in them and look unhealthy. The Portuguese Laurel hedge underneath the umbrella of the trees have holes in the leaves and have reduced growth compared to other healthy sections. What can I spray or are there companies in the Newberg or McMinnville area that can spray. Really hate to lose them.

Yamhill County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Blake,
It appears like both the cherry trees and the laurel shrub are being affected by something called "shot hole". It can be caused by a bacterium and also by a fungal infection. Both of these thrive in cool wet springs like we've had this year. University of Maryland Extension publication, "Cherry Shot Hole Disease" has more extensive information about the diseases.

I'm wondering if the cherry trees don't have additional problems. The first photo looks like "Brown Rot Blossom Blight and Fruit Rot". This link is to an OSU Extension plant disease handbook page. Read through the description then look carefully at your trees to see if the description matches the damage you are seeing.

You can also take samples of the affect leaves and twigs into the Yamhill  County OSU Extension office so that a Master Gardener can look at physical samples to be positive that these are the two issues affects your trees and shrubs. That way armed with positive identification of the problem and knowledge, you can contact arborists or landscapers for spraying services.

These problems are a result of our lovely cool rainy spring. The fungicides necessary are not available to homeowners. Contact arborists and/or a larger landscape company with the skills necessary to spray. University of Minnesota Extension has a publication, "How to Hire a Tree Care Professional". The regional organization for arborists, "Pacific Northwest ISA" also has good information on choosing an arborist.
This was extremely helpful.  Thank you very much.  I will do the follow up research.

Blake Williams

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On Jun 17, 2024, at 9:05 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT

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