[jaycee]

Put a new Victoria Plum tree in at the end of last year. A lot of the leaves have turned yellow with little round holes in them.
Can anyone tell me what is wrong with it and how to treat it?
Thanks

[splodger]

hi jaycee - without seeing the tree / leaves it is very difficult to diagnose your problem.

there are many caterpillars, aphids and sawflies that will attack plums and other fruit trees.

you might try researching:

 "shothole" which is a fungus - but is treatable.

"bacterial canker" is more serious - does turn leaves yellow -

there again it could be just be normal die back.

has the tree been pruned recently?

[vegging out]

It could be silver leaf disease,Chondrostereum purpureum.Do a google on it for more info,I know for sure it attacks plums though.

[jaycee]

Thanks for the imput folks. It`s not silver leaf and it really looks like an aphid or some such like has been eating away at the leaves. There are tiny round holes. Haven`t seen any sign of anything eating the leaves.
Do you think John would mind if I posted a photo on the garden photo pages?...I will ask him.

[jaycee]

I have posted a photo of the damaged plum tree leaves on the garden photo page to help with the identification of the problem
Any input would be very welcome along with ways of treatment.

[splodger]

hi jaycee

i've looked at your piccy - i am sure it is shothole - here's a part quote from 1 of my books:

re shothole on cherries,peaches plums etc..

" this is caused by a specific fungus disease. considerable shotholing of the leaves occurs with a thin brown line around each hole. the fungus responsible is a weak parasite and is only likely to attack the foliage of trees lacking vigour. - control the disease by feeding annually and by mulching and watering copiously; small trees respond to foliar feeds. if the trouble persists spray at first sign of attack with a copper fungicide..."


hope this helps - shotleaf is not life thgreatening so your trees should recover.