Shotgun disease, caused by the fungus Stigmina carpophilum, makes the attractive foliage of the cherry laurel look as if it had been shot with a shotgun. In addition to laurel cherries, the stubborn fungus also attacks fruit trees such as cherries or plums and leads to enormous reductions in yield.

The typical damage of the fungus

Small red-brown spots appear on the foliage of the cherry laurel. In the early stages of the disease, these can easily be mistaken for the harmless nectar glands of the tree. The brown areas slowly dry up until the plant eventually sheds the necrotic tissue. What remains are the characteristic holes in the leaves of the affected shrubs. Elongated, dark-colored necroses also appear on the branches of the laurel cherry. You can recognize these sores by the somewhat sunken patches, which often have a gummy drop in the middle.

life cycle of the fungus

The fungus first affects the leaves and, as the disease progresses, also the shoot tips of the cherry laurel. It overwinters in diseased leaves, in small wounds on branches, on fruit mummies and in the shoot tips of affected trees and shrubs.

If warm, humid weather prevails in spring, the fungal disease spreads almost explosively, as the spores are transported by the precipitation. They land with the raindrops or fog on the leaves of neighboring plants and infect them.

Control of shotgun disease in cherry laurel

Since the fungus can be very stubborn, it is advisable to take consistent action against the spread of the plant disease as soon as the first infestation occurs:

  • Remove any infested leaves and fruit and collect fallen leaves as well.
  • Ideally prune in dry weather to stop the spores from spreading further.
  • Since the fungus survives in the compost, all parts of the plant must be disposed of with household waste.
  • Spraying with clay preparations and wetted sulfur Stulln have a gentle and environmentally friendly effect against shot.

If the shotgun disease cannot be curbed by these measures, you can obtain highly effective chemical preparations from the trade that are also approved for private gardens and that reliably kill the fungus.

preventive measures

The following also applies to shotgun fire: “Prevention is better than cure.” You can prevent the plant disease from spreading by taking the following measures:

  • Heavy winter pruning to eliminate drive wounds.
  • Spray the bushes with copper oxychloride before they sprout.
  • Mulching makes it difficult for soil spores to spread.

tips and tricks

The shotgun disease is favored by nitrogen-rich fertilization. For this reason, you should preferably use mature compost or manure as a fertilizer in the case of shot, as these fertilizers only contain around 0.5 to 2 percent nitrogen.

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Trees