Peach tree - leaf damage and sap dripping -- what is it? - Ask Extension
We've had this peach tree in our Oregon City back yard for about 2-1/2 years. A few days ago, we noticed discolored (yellow, red) "blisters"...
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Peach tree - leaf damage and sap dripping -- what is it? #867159
Asked May 05, 2024, 10:23 PM EDT
We've had this peach tree in our Oregon City back yard for about 2-1/2 years. A few days ago, we noticed discolored (yellow, red) "blisters" on several leaves. We removed any damaged leaves we could find, and ask a local gardening supply if they could identify the issue. They told us they didn't know, and we should check on the OSU Extension Service.
Today, we found several more damaged leaves, and now there are some very damaged branches, where sap is hanging in large blobs from them.
Can you identify what is causing this, and give us some idea what to do about it?
Thank you,
Mark and Linda Davis
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
This looks like 'Peach leaf curl' which is a fungal disease caused by Taphrina deformans. Slow growing shoots and leaves are infected during cool and wet growing seasons, particularly west of the Cascade Range. We had quite a long wet season.
Two fungicide (such as Bordeaux mixture or other copper-based fungicides) applications are recommended for western Oregon: at 50% leaf fall (late October), and again at delayed dormant (usually in late February, before floral buds open).
Please refer to the links below for more information.
https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/peach-leaf-curl/
https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/peach-prunus-persica-leaf-curl
