Peach tree disease - Ask Extension
My peach tree has some disease. Please let me know how to treat it
Knowledgebase
Peach tree disease #900539
Asked May 07, 2025, 7:27 PM EDT
My peach tree has some disease. Please let me know how to treat it
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
What you are seeing is a common issue for peaches here called Peach Leaf Curl, caused by the fungus Taphrina deformans.
It can cause leaf drop on affected leaves but it should not continue to spread to leaves produced later. It looks minor or your otherwise healthy-looking tree.
Getting what most people consider good quality fruit can be difficult in Maryland without a lot of careful management, including repeated and closely timed chemical applications for the common diseases and insect pests in our climate.
Here is our page on so-called 'stone' fruits (those that have pits) that includes peaches:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden/
The link within that page goes to an Ohio State peach leaf curl publication that states:
"Leaf curl is not difficult to control. Since the fungus survives the winter on the surface of twigs and buds, a single fungicide spray, thoroughly covering the entire tree", in either November or early spring before bud-break "will provide control."
So there is nothing that you can do right now, but do keep an eye on watering needs as much of Maryland has had prolonged, severe drought conditions, even after recent rains:
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MD
Here is our watering information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs/
Christine
It can cause leaf drop on affected leaves but it should not continue to spread to leaves produced later. It looks minor or your otherwise healthy-looking tree.
Getting what most people consider good quality fruit can be difficult in Maryland without a lot of careful management, including repeated and closely timed chemical applications for the common diseases and insect pests in our climate.
Here is our page on so-called 'stone' fruits (those that have pits) that includes peaches:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden/
The link within that page goes to an Ohio State peach leaf curl publication that states:
"Leaf curl is not difficult to control. Since the fungus survives the winter on the surface of twigs and buds, a single fungicide spray, thoroughly covering the entire tree", in either November or early spring before bud-break "will provide control."
So there is nothing that you can do right now, but do keep an eye on watering needs as much of Maryland has had prolonged, severe drought conditions, even after recent rains:
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MD
Here is our watering information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs/
Christine