Cherry leaf spot often defoliates the tree by midsummer. Repeated defoliation makes the tree more susceptible to winter injury and may eventually kill it.
Leaves show small purple to brown spots with definite boundaries in early summer.
The leaves turn yellow and fall. In July, the centers of the infected spots frequently fall out, giving a shot-hole appearance. The fungus overwinters on fallen leaves. In spring following wet weather, spores form and winds blow them to infect leaves. The initial leaf infections form spots, and more spores are produced in the spots.