How To Get Rid Of Curly Leaf On Peach Trees

You can get rid of curly leaf on peach trees by treating the fungal infection at the right time with the right products, and by keeping your tree healthy enough to bounce back.
 
Curly leaf on peach trees is one of the most common problems for home growers, and the good news is that it’s absolutely manageable once you understand how it works.
 
The culprit is a fungus called Taphrina deformans, and it attacks your tree right as the buds begin to swell in early spring.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to get rid of curly leaf on peach trees step by step, from timing your spray to choosing the right fungicide to preventing it from coming back next year.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Get Rid of Curly Leaf on Peach Trees

Getting rid of curly leaf on peach trees comes down to three main moves: spraying at the right time, removing infected growth, and boosting your tree’s overall health.
 
You can’t cure the leaves that are already curled, but you can stop the fungus from spreading and protect next year’s growth.
 
Here’s how to tackle each part of the process.
 

1. Spray With Fungicide at the Right Time

Timing is everything when it comes to getting rid of curly leaf on peach trees.
 
The fungus that causes curly leaf infects your tree during a very narrow window, right when the buds start to swell but before they open.
 
Once the leaves emerge and start curling, spraying won’t do much good for that season.
 
Apply a copper-based fungicide or chlorothalonil in late winter or early spring, just as the buds begin to swell.
 
The ideal time is when buds are still dormant but starting to show the first signs of activity.
 
Depending on your climate, that might be late February or early March.
 
Some growers apply two sprays about two weeks apart for extra protection, especially in wet springs.
 
Always follow the label instructions and never spray when rain is expected within 24 hours.
 

2. Remove and Dispose of Infected Leaves

Once curly leaf on peach trees shows up, those curled, puckered leaves won’t recover and they won’t uncurl.
 
Removing them helps reduce the fungal spores that can reinfect your tree the following year.
 
Pick off any curled leaves you can reach and throw them in the trash, not in your compost pile.
 
If a whole branch is heavily infected, you can prune it back to healthy wood.
 
Make sure to sterilize your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol between cuts so you don’t spread the fungus.
 
And don’t leave infected leaves lying on the ground around your tree either, since the spores can survive in the soil and leaf litter.
 

3. Boost Your Tree’s Overall Health

A healthy peach tree handles curly leaf much better than a stressed one.
 
Feed your tree with a balanced fertilizer in early spring before the growing season kicks into high gear.
 
Water deeply and regularly during dry spells, but avoid getting water on the leaves since wet foliage encourages fungal growth.
 
Mulch around the base of the tree to keep the soil moisture consistent and to prevent spores from splashing up onto the leaves.
 
Keep the area around the tree free of weeds and debris.
 
A strong, well-fed peach tree will push out new growth after an infection and often recover on its own.
 

4. Choose Resistant Peach Varieties

Some peach varieties are naturally more resistant to curly leaf, and planting one of them can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
 
Varieties like Frost, Redhaven, and Elberta tend to have better resistance compared to others.
 
If you’re planning to plant a new peach tree, do a little research on which varieties do best in your area.
 
Local extension offices and nearby nurseries are great resources for figuring out what grows well where you live.
 
Even resistant varieties can still get curly leaf in a bad year, but the damage is usually much less severe.
 

Preventing Curly Leaf on Peach Trees

Prevention is really the best strategy for curly leaf on peach trees because once the fungus takes hold, you’re mostly just managing the damage.
 
Start with a dormant copper spray in late fall after the leaves drop.
 
Then follow up with another copper spray in late winter just before the buds swell.
 
These two sprays alone can dramatically reduce curly leaf on peach trees the following spring.
 
Clean up all fallen leaves in autumn and dispose of them, since the fungus overwinters in leaf litter and on twigs.
 
Prune your tree to improve airflow through the canopy, which helps leaves dry faster and makes conditions less favorable for the fungus.
 
Avoid overhead watering and water at the base of the tree instead.
 
Keep your tree properly pruned and thinned so sunlight can reach the inner branches.
 

So, How Do You Get Rid of Curly Leaf on Peach Trees?

You get rid of curly leaf on peach trees by spraying a copper fungicide at the right time in late winter, removing infected leaves, and keeping your tree healthy with proper feeding, watering, and pruning.
 
Curly leaf isn’t a death sentence for your peach tree, even though it looks pretty alarming when those leaves start puckering and turning red.
 
With consistent prevention and a little patience, you can keep curly leaf on peach trees under control and still enjoy a solid harvest.
 
So don’t panic if you see it this season, just start planning your treatment for next year and your tree will thank you.