Master Gardener’s Corner Peach Leaf Curl

Peach leaf curl is a fungal disease that affects only peach and nectarine trees. Distorted, reddened foliage in the spring is a distinctive symptom. If the infection continues untreated for several years, the tree will decline. Treatment in spring, after symptoms appear, won’t be effective. 

Treat trees with a copper fungicide. See your garden center for recommendations.

Treat just after leaves have fallen in late November or December.

A second application in late winter, especially during wet winters.

Don’t apply fungicides during the growing season.

A rule of thumb is to apply fungicides at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s.

Look for symptoms in spring.

New leaves redden and pucker

A second set of normal laves will replace fallen leaves, and the tree will appear normal.

Choose effective fungicides: The safest effective products available for backyard trees are copper soap (copper octanoate) or the fixed copper fungicide (copper ammonium). Apply these with a horticultural oil.

Yes, my tree has peach leaf curl. I only sprayed once in the winter. When we have wet winters 2 to 3 sprays are recommended.

For more information on peach leaf curl, visit ipm.ucdavis.edu ■