Knowledgebase

Plum tree leaf holes #764832

Asked July 30, 2021, 3:15 PM EDT

Hi, We planted a Mount Royale plum tree last fall and now it has small holes in most of its leaves. From searching your site it looks like the Japanese Beetle is the likely cause, but we wanted someone with a more trained eye to look and make sure so that we can treat things appropriately. I attached a photo. Thank you so much for your time. Emily Breunig <personal data hidden>

Olmsted County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.

Here is an atlas of plum diseases.

https://www.gardenfocused.co.uk/fruitarticles/plums/pest-disease.php

The good news is that this is not curcullio. 

To my eye the difference is aphids or plum aphids v Japanese beetles.

Japanese beetles love plum trees and can do this kind of damage BUT they are easily visible.

Aphids get the munchies near plums but they curl the leaves.  https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/plum/control-leaf-curl-plum-aphids.htm

Your lesions look like shot hole disease, common on plums, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/DISEASE/shothole.html#:~:text=Shot%20hole%2C%20or%20Coryneum%20blight,hole%20disease%20affects%20Prunus%20spp.&text=The%20disease%20will%20develop%20on,weather%20during%20winter%20and%20spring.


https://www.farmforum.net/farm_forum_columnists/tree-facts-shot-hole-disease-of-trees-and-shrubs-in-the-plum-family/article_a31f28c8-6aad-5bd9-bbad-f244276b9c06.html?redir=0


The management for shot hole is a bit specialized.  If you do not see Japanese beetles, I suggest that you consult with a certified arborist to help assess and manage this condition.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

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