Knowledgebase
Peach tree has boils! #867473
Asked May 07, 2024, 5:19 PM EDT
District of Columbia County District of Columbia
Expert Response
Per an associate who just fielded this question in a nearby area, this looks like peach leaf curl disease, which is very common in peach trees. Sharing information below:
“These symptoms look like Peach Leaf Curl, a very common fungal infection on peaches and their stone fruit relatives. Once symptoms manifest, it is too late to treat as there are no curative options. Fungicide prevention is used around November or very early spring (perhaps February or March) to kill overwintering spores before they can infect the buds. As noted in the linked page above, to compensate for some leaf loss due to the infection, thin the fruits so that the tree has a lighter load of peaches this year, or else the resource drain on the tree may make it more prone to additional problems later this winter. Fungicide information is provided in the Home Fruit Disease and Insects management guide, which you can search for "peach leaf curl." More information about other ailments common to peach, plus plant care tips, can be found in our Growing Stone Fruits in a Home Garden page.”
Spraying now would be ineffective because the fungus is inside the leaves. And heavy pruning now could further weaken the tree. Although this isn’t the time of year to treat the tree, it is a good time to thin fruit and clear away any fallen fruit, leaves or twigs from the ground.
After this years leaves have dropped, clean them away & then treat when the tree is dormant. https://attra.ncat.org/peach-leaf-curl/
references: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-018/ENTO-567-C.pdf
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden/
As to the apple tree, white fluff could be woolly aphids. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/woolly-aphids-trees/
These are usually kept in check by natural predators such as parasitic wasps, and some smaller birds may feed on them as well. Please send pictures to help us determine what it is.
Please send photos when you have time and keep us posted on your peach tree.
Kate