HOSTS: Peach (other species of Taphrina may affect plums).

DESCRIPTION: New spring leaves are thickened, curled, and  red or yellow in color. Severely infected shoots die. Infected leaves fall prematurely. Blossoms may shrivel and drop.

LIFE CYCLE: Peach leaf curl over-winters on tree surfaces and buds. Wet, humid weather as leaves emerge in the spring favor new infection. Growth is most rapid at 20 C.

CONTROLS:

CULTURAL: Prune out infected branches. Rake and destroy infected leaves in the fall.

CHEMICAL  Spray copper or lime sulfur as buds start to swell in the spring.