Question
Hello Dr. Vann,
I am a fellow expert (Water Quality, Home Improvement, North Carolina).  I have 3 cherry trees that I believe are a weeping variety.  About a month ago the leaves started developing these brown spots which would eventually fall out leaving a small hole in the leaf.  There are at least 20-30 holes per leaf.  The leaves are turning yellow and falling off.  The trees are defoliating rapidly - right now about 20-30% of the trees are now bare and increasing rapidly.
Someone said this is shot hole or hole shot disease.  Does this sound right?  If so, is there any treatment for this condition.  Or could it be something else.
I really appreciate your time!  Thank you very much,
Steve Young

Answer
Steve:

This does indeed sounds like "shot hole" sometimes called Coryneum Blight, a disease of stone fruits. Looks like the leaves were blasted with bird shot! Check this web site out for some details. You might also go to "Google Images to see a few more images.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/DISEASE/shothole.html

Good sanitation, keeping leaves dry as possible can help- along with copper sprays (Bordeaux) or Mancozeb. Timing and coverage of these products are important. Best to begin in the spring

Glad to hear from you!

Steve