Hang on a mo there - are you saying these holes are in the leaves, or in the trunk and branches, the woody parts? There are two things involving the name shothole - there's shothole borers, which infest the woody parts, and then there's shothole, which affects the leaves. Causes of the latter are many and varied - determine the cause and you can resolve the problem, shothole of the leaves merely means there's loads of holes and usually lots of small brown patches in the leaves as well. If the leaves are distorted at the same time, capsid can cause that, for instance.

Shothole (fungal disease on the leaves) if this is what you are referring to is common in stone fruit such as cherries especially if under physiological stress ie newly planted, rapid alternate drying and wetting of the roots. Once established, it will be fine and no, it won't effect nearby plants.

Cherry Leaf Spot or Bacterial Spot could be the problem. I would be inclined to wait until leaf drop (which will be quite soon), clear and destroy all the leaf litter. When you get a substantial leaf growth in springtime I would give it a spray with Dithane or Systhane Fungus Fighter, which should clear up the problem.

Thank you Jimmytheone,Fractal and Bamboo for your speedy replies to my question. I am feeling much more optimistic about the outcome for this tree.

To answer your question Bamboo, it is the leaves which are affected, so I shall await your further comments if any.

However, the suppliers may have been justified in telling me that the problem would sort itself next year, although I shall of course follow all the advice that I can glean from friends on this site. x

Clear away fallen leaves as Jimmy above suggests, and keep the ground beneath the tree completely clear over winter in case there's a fungal problem. If the leaves were not distorted or crumpled looking as well as full of holes, not capsid, so wait till next year and keep an eye on it.

Thanks for the final deliberations Bamboo: I shall be patient and prudent. (Well, better than stealing the prase from GQT "Onwards and upwards"!

Thank you too Lincslass for the warm welcome back and to Hywel who will be pleased to know that after 21 months of disruption, the neighbours' extension is finished and they are clearing the site almost as I speak. Sadly, they got a man to clear everything including a lovely azalea, a mature Rosemary, a Skimmia etc.etc. I can't bear to go on! They told me when they moved in that they did not like gardening and were too busy, but I didn't realise that they would just leave bare earth which is to become patio front, back and sides. Still, it will make mine look better. Have lovely new neighbours who are keen gardeners on the side where my old friend died six months ago.

Thank you again, everyone: more soon.