This past Picnic Day, Master Gardeners were available to answer the community's questions. One question reigned supreme: What is happening to my peach tree?
If you are noticing puffed, curled, and discolored leaves on your peach or nectarine tree, the culprit is likely the fungus Peach Leaf Curl. While there are some peach and nectarine varieties resistant to the fungus, that is not the case for all varieties.
Peach Leaf Curl becomes noticeable a few weeks after leaves have emerged on the tree. Left untreated for a few years, Peach Leaf Curl can detrimentally affect the growth and health of a tree, but it will not cause widespread damage to the tree immediately. While some fruit production may be decreased, the fruit is still safe to eat.
Once leaves have dropped in the fall, apply a copper fungicide, which can be purchased at your favorite garden supply store, all over the branches of the trees. Larger trees may make this a cumbersome task, but it's important to fully saturate all sides of the branch. Repeat the application in the spring before new leaves have emerged.
Be mindful of how many years you apply copper fungicide, as copper can build up in the soil and negatively affect soil organisms.
Here is a link to the calendar of operations on how to care for your peach tree for the year: https://homeorchard.ucanr.edu/Fruits_&_Nuts/Peach/