Curly Hazel Problem

I have two curly hazel trees that I planted about 8 years ago. They've always done well, never had any problems. This year however, the leaves are completely covered in tiny little holes - makes them almost appear mesh-like rather than complete leaves. Does anyone know what might be causing this and how I can fix it. My hazels are not happy!!

 

We need a picture. Where are they planted? Next to a walkway or some-where that water splashes up onto them?

It sounds like you may have a shot hole fungus of some sort. We did have an extremely wet and warm spring again this year. That doesn't help our plants in the Vancouver area.

Nothing can be recommended unless we know exactly what the problem is.

 

Thanks David, I will get pics posted later today.

 

It could also be a leaf miner if the leaves are mesh like.

 

http://petruccilibrary.csufresno.edu/WesternGrapeLeafSkeletonizer.htm

Sounds like Leaf-Skelontizer.

 

Not the best pictures, but you can see the leaf holes (sort of), I don't know if this is clear enough. The other picture is something we noticed last night looking at the tree - this is on the trunk. Not sure if those holes are normal or not. The trees don't seem to be 'suffering' in that they have new growth, etc. but I'm sure whatever is destroying the leaves can't be good for it. Any ideas?

 

I should also add that they are next to the driveway, though they are far enough back from the pavement that they aren't disturbed with the comings and goings, and they are not exposed to water splashing up at all. During the driest times (like this past August), they were watered from the base probably once every week or so). We don't water the lawn, so the leaves weren't exposed to water droplets. The larger of the two trees (about 6ft tall) gets full sun all day. The smaller (about 4.5ft) is shaded most of the day by a taller ornamental plum tree. Hope this helps.

 

Eastern Filbert Blight. See this link: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/filbertblight.htm

The susceptible varieties in the filbert orchards I see in the Fraser Valley are being extensively damaged & in some cases completely replanted. Many of the garden trees & escapes are dead too. There are resistant varieties increasingly available.

I have been wondering if the native species are susceptible, anyone know?

 

Haven't seen any on them, so far.

 

Thank you for the links - yup, I'm pretty darn sure it's Eastern Filbert Blight. Since we only have the two hazels, and we're not going to spray pesticides of any kind, we'll cut off as much of the infected wood as possible and see what happens. Thanks for all the help - this forum is a valuable asset!