Plant disease? - Ask Extension
Hello- I had one of these plants die last season from the inside out. Now I have 7! The same plants are also dying at the neighbors. Is this shot hole...
Knowledgebase
Plant disease? #928858
Asked April 19, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT
Hello- I had one of these plants die last season from the inside out. Now I have 7! The same plants are also dying at the neighbors. Is this shot hole disease?
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Yes, it is Shot Hole disease on your Cherry Laurels (Prunus laurocerasus), and maybe a touch of Botryosphaeria canker or Peachtree Borer (or just drought damage by itself) causing branch dieback. Cherry laurels can be stressed and susceptible to many diseases and conditions, especially if not sited correctly. Here is more information from UME:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/cherry-laurel-identify-and-manage-problems/
For your plants, prune out the dead branches or damaged branch tips, but avoid pruning/shearing the whole shrub too much as that can predispose them to pests and diseases like Shot hole. Here is more information from UME on Shot hole disease:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/cherry-shot-hole-disease/
Good luck - hope this helps. Thanks for contacting Ask Extension.
