Cherry Laurel

Prunus laurocerasus (Rosaceae) is a large, dense evergreen shrub or small tree native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor. It grows rapidly to 15 to 20 feet tall, bearing large, glossy, dark green, leathery leaves (4 to 6 inches). Upright racemes of small white flowers appear in spring, followed by black, cherry-like fruit.

Cherry laurel is one of the most widely planted evergreen screening and hedging plants. It grows in full sun to heavy shade on a range of soils. It tolerates heavy pruning and recovers quickly. Shothole disease (caused by Stigmina or bacterial pathogens) is the most visible problem, creating ragged holes in the leaves. Powdery mildew and root rot are also documented. All parts are toxic due to cyanogenic glycosides. Hardy in Zones 6a to 8b.

Cherry laurel is everywhere in the Puget Sound lowlands and that is the problem. It escapes gardens via bird-dispersed seed, establishes in forest understory, and shades out native plants. The disease load is enormous (67 documented) but mostly cosmetic. Shothole, the most visible symptom, is caused by multiple pathogens and looks terrible but rarely threatens the plant. The disease that actually kills cherry laurel is Phytophthora root rot, which thrives in our wet, poorly drained lowland soils, whether alluvial clay in the valleys or glacial till over hardpan on the uplands. If your hedge is yellowing and dying in sections, Phytophthora is the first suspect. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead irrigation reduce fungal pressure. If you are choosing a new hedge plant, consider alternatives; if you already have cherry laurel, at minimum prevent seed escape by pruning before fruit set.

— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist