Peach Leaf Curl

• circleThickened, puckered, and severely curled young leaves
• circleRed or purple-tinged distorted foliage
• circleWhite powdery bloom on leaf surfaces as spores develop
• circlePremature leaf drop and weakened tree vigor

Caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans, which infects young leaf and bud tissue as leaves emerge in cool, wet spring weather, with spores overwintering on bark and buds.

Remove and dispose of badly curled leaves, and apply a copper-based fungicide spray at leaf fall in autumn and again just before buds swell in late winter.

Apply protective fungicide sprays during the dormant season, and grow trees under cover or against a wall where practical to reduce exposure to spring rain.