Home > Growing tips & recipes > Cherry Leaf Spot – How to Spot It and Keep Your Trees Healthy 4 min read 06.10.2025 Cherry Leaf Spot – How to Spot It and Keep Your Trees Healthy Cherry leaf spot causes tiny purple spots on cherry leaves that turn brown, leading to yellowing and premature leaf drop. This common fungal disease can weaken trees if untreated. Manage it naturally by collecting and destroying fallen leaves, pruning for better airflow, and spraying leaves with chamomile tea. Early detection and natural care help keep cherry trees healthy and productive throughout the growing season. Cherry trees are a delight in any garden, but they can fall victim to cherry leaf spot, a common fungal disease that affects leaves, reduces photosynthesis, and can weaken trees over time. Recognising the signs early and taking natural preventative measures can help your cherry trees thrive year after year.What Is Cherry Leaf Spot?Cherry leaf spot is caused by the fungus Blumeriella jaapii. It attacks cherry leaves, producing distinctive spots and sometimes leading to premature leaf drop. While rarely fatal, it can weaken your tree, reduce fruit quality, and increase susceptibility to other stressors.Symptoms of Cherry Leaf SpotWatch for:Tiny purple spots on leaves that later turn into brown lesions Yellowing leaves as infection progresses Premature leaf drop, which can leave your tree looking bare early in the seasonThese symptoms are often first noticed on the lower leaves and can gradually spread upward.Key IdentifiersTo confirm cherry leaf spot:Look for small purple or brown spots on the leaf surface Notice early leaf drop, even when the tree otherwise seems healthySpotting these signs early allows you to act before the fungus spreads further.Natural Steps to Manage Cherry Leaf SpotCollect and Destroy Fallen LeavesFallen leaves harbor fungal spores. Gather and destroy them, do not compost, to reduce the risk of reinfection next season.Prune for AirflowPruning crowded branches improves airflow and sunlight penetration, making conditions less favourable for fungal growth.Spray with Chamomile TeaChamomile tea acts as a gentle, natural fungicide. Brew a weak infusion, let it cool, and spray on infected leaves to help limit the spread.Keep Trees HealthyRegular watering, mulching, and feeding strengthen the tree’s natural defences against disease. Healthy trees recover faster and resist infection more effectively.Cherry leaf spot can be alarming, but with careful observation and natural management, it’s easy to keep under control. By removing infected leaves, pruning for airflow, and using chamomile tea sprays, you can protect your trees and enjoy healthy, fruitful cherry harvests year after year. Meet the author Nelly Nelly works in the She Grows Veg marketing department and is an incredible cook! She's learning how to grow veg fast in her very own container garden. Her favourites so far are the Dwarf Sunflower called 'Sunspot' and our Dwarf Pea called 'Tom Thumb'. Previous Leaf Spot in the Garden – Identification & Natural Remedies Next Peach Leaf Curl – How to Spot It and Protect Your Trees
