Silver leaf
Disease A fungus that gives leaves a silvery sheen and kills branches of plums and cherries.
What to look for
A silvery sheen on the leaves, and a purple or brown stain in the wood when you cut a branch. Branches die back over time.
When: Leaf symptoms in summer, with infection through autumn and winter.
How to prevent it
- Prune plums, cherries and other stone fruit in summer, never in winter.
- Clean pruning tools and avoid unnecessary wounds.
How to deal with it
- Cut affected branches back to at least 15 cm beyond any stain, in summer.
- Burn or bin the wood, and do not use wound sealants.
- Trees can recover if the infection is caught early.
Crops it affects
If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.