Q: Is this gall on my peaches at home? If so, what’s the remedy? If not? What is it and how do it treat?

• Blaine from Columbiana

A: I received some photos of curled up peach leaves on a tree. They were thick and had some growths on them ,which appeared to look like some galls we see on other tree species. Also, the growths on the leaves were dark red to purple. Not all leaves were affected, but it was quite obvious this was something unusual.

This is peach leaf curl. It does not happen every year, but when conditions are just right — the infection occurs. Our fruit tree specialists note that usual infection years are ones with cool wet springs that follow a mild winter. Besides the December deep freeze we had, the winter was, in fact, quite mild this last year.

Trees with this disease can lose their leaves and be weakened.

The best thing about this disease is that it is quite easy to control. It can be easily controlled with one fungicide spray in early, early spring while the plant is still in dormancy. No additional control is necessary. Once and done!

Be sure to select a fungicide based on the product label. Be sure to read and follow all directions on the label.

For organic production, consider starting with a cultivar that is resistant or partially resistant to peach leaf curl. For an organic fungicide option, Bordeaux mixture and copper are acceptable for organic production.

As for this growing season, it is simply too late to do a fungicide application. It is a waste of time and money. But, there are other considerations for this year. If the tree loses lots of leaves, you’ll need to pick off most or all of the peaches. Allowing the tree to have too many peaches while it is weakened will only weaken it more and make it more susceptible to winter injury here in the Mahoning Valley. Thus, picking off the fruit reduces plant needs — and will keep the tree in good shape for next year. Next spring, spraying will be a must to ensure protection if the right conditions exist for peach leaf curl.

For details on this disease, go to: https://go.osu.edu/peachleafcurl .

To learn more about organic fungicides, go to http://go.osu.edu/organicfungicides.

Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. The Plant and Pest Clinic is open 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays for help with plant issues, soil testing and insect identification, Mondays and Wednesdays. Questions be submitted at any time. For details, visit go.osu.edu/mahoningclinic.