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Shot hole disease

jackas_ukjackas_uk Posts: 8
in Problem solving
We have a Prunus 'Autumnalis Rosea' that we've had in our garden for six years. Last summer and again now all the lower leaves dropped off. I think it has Shot hole disease as the leaves appear to be randomly left with holes matching its description. Last year I was careful to try and pick up as many of the fallen leaves as I could, but this year its come along and I wasn't able to collect leaves for a few weeks and now there's a lot! I'm wary of cutting off branches as that could be half the tree gone!
I've searched online for chemical solutions but can't find any UK spray or mix that mention this disease or contain copper sulphate (which I've seen mentioned several times as a treatment). 
Can anyone suggest a good possible treatment that is available in the UK? 

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    A photo or two may help us confirm your diagnosis before spraying the tree with anything, but it's not something I've ever had to deal with.

    I imagine you have seen Bordeaux Mixture mentioned as a possible treatment.
    It is no longer available in the UK, but there are plenty of recipes on the net and the ingredients can be bought on Amazon.

    The reason it is no longer allowed in the UK is just because commercial growers were using it as a preventative measure every year on their trees.
    Over years this can cause a build up of copper and its derivatives in the soil and can end up making the soil toxic and possibly leech into rivers where copper can be very dangerous to the inhabitants.
    As a one-off or occasional treatment I don't think you'll be causing any ecological damage :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • jackas_ukjackas_uk Posts: 8

  • jackas_ukjackas_uk Posts: 8

  • jackas_ukjackas_uk Posts: 8
    loo
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It's not a disease I have any knowledge of.
    Hopefully someone will be able to chip in and advise

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Even though you have had this tree in for six years, the photo of it shows it is still rather small and with grass growing all around its base, I fear it has been struggling with the grass and in the summer months, most likely not had enough water. The last two years have been particularly bad.

    When trees are stressed, they are prone to all sorts of pests and diseases, and shot hole may be what it has, but the bigger picture is to ensure your tree is planted in its correct depth and all the base cleared of weeds and grass.

    Try to dig away all the grass and loosen the top 4 inches of the soil and lay a thick mulch. Then water the tree through the summer. Generous bucketful every 3-5 days when there has been no rain for over a week. You may start to see an improvement after 6 months.
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