AusBonsai

Hi Guys

Whilst out in the garden today I noticed on the my trees in the yard had some funky looking deformities on quite a few leaves. I'm not concerned too much about the tree it is affecting, but I am worried about other trees in my garden, especially my "potential" bonsai.
Here are a few pics, I hope someone can help by identifying this and perhaps offering a solution.
Thanks in advance

Peach leaf curl. It's actually a virus or a fungus. Could be either. Not too much you can do about it but some people claim to treat it with various chemicals. If you google it you will find a lot of information.

Thanks joel That certainly looks like it. But do you, or anyone else know if it can affect my other trees? I have one other fruit tree in my yard (a plum/apricot hybrid) but my main concern is my trees in development for bonsai (mostly maples), and also the few pines I have. Any pointers?

Hi Luke,

It only affects Prunus spp as far as I am aware. This includes plums, apricots, peaches, nectarine etc. The most susceptible is Prunus persica (possibly what you have photographed). It definitely won't affect maples or pines. This distortion of the leaves is likely to return every season. It may lose a small amount of vigour from it. It will still flower normally.

Joel

Luke,
You need to spray when your tree is dormant as a prevention. I spray mine in August, sometimes twice (to be sure, to be sure). It does impact on flowering as it is not as prolific but will loose those deformed leaves eventually and your tree should be fine.
I strongly recommend spraying next season.

Regarding Peach Leaf Curl in other species, read this: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 703AAGMeCJ and note the important advice on timing of treatment for this disease when buds swell, but before buds open into leaves. Treatment too early or too late is largely useless.

Cheers,
Mojo