As a peach tree owner, it can be scary to see your tree losing its leaves in the summer. Since this is the height of the growing season, the leaves should be full and lush. But losing leaves now doesn’t always mean you should be scared. There are a few possible reasons why your peach tree might be losing its leaves in the summer. Read on to find out what’s probably wrong with your tree and how to fix it.
Common Causes of Summer Leaf Drop
Here are the most frequent reasons peach trees lose their leaves in summer
Underwatering
One of the most common reasons for summer leaf drop is not enough water. For mature 7-foot peach trees, they need about 90 gallons of water once a week during the hot summer months. Skipping waterings or giving the tree too little water can quickly stress it out, causing the leaves to dry out and fall off.
Check soil moisture before watering. If the soil is dry 2-3 inches down, your tree needs more frequent and deeper watering. Install drip irrigation or use a soaker hose to get water to the roots. Mulch also helps retain moisture.
Overwatering
Not giving your peach tree enough water can kill the leaves, but giving it too much water can also hurt it. Overwatering keeps the soil too wet, which keeps roots from getting oxygen and makes fungal rot diseases more likely. If the soil stays wet for too long, leaves often turn yellow and fall off.
Allow the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Improve drainage by amending soil with compost or sand. And ensure irrigation systems are working properly to prevent oversaturation.
Nutrient Deficiency
Like all plants, peach trees need a regular supply of essential nutrients like nitrogen and iron to form chlorophyll and stay green. Deficiencies due to poor soil conditions or inadequate fertilization can starve trees of nutrients, causing leaves to yellow or brown before falling off.
Test soil and inspect leaves to pinpoint any deficiencies. Then apply an appropriate fertilizer per label instructions. Organic compost also gradually releases nutrients.
Disease
Fungal diseases like peach leaf curl, powdery mildew, and rust are most active in summer’s warm, humid conditions. Infections disrupt leaf function and cause premature dropping. Affected leaves may appear distorted, spotted, or yellowed before falling.
Prune diseased branches immediately and rake up fallen leaves to limit spread. Apply approved fungicides at the first sign of infection and as a preventive shield before summer. Ensure trees have good airflow.
Pests
Hungry insects like aphids, mites, and leafminers damage peach tree leaves through their chewing, sucking, or tunneling. A high pest population can quickly defoliate branches. Watch for curled, speckled, or mined leaves.
Bring in ladybugs, lacewings, and other helpful bugs, or use insecticidal soap spray for small infestations. Pesticides may be needed for serious problems, but they should be used carefully so as not to hurt pollinators.
Environmental Stress
Rapid swings in temperature, drought conditions, strong winds, hail storms, and other environmental extremes take a toll on peach trees. Physical damage combined with plant stress may cause perfectly healthy leaves to be jettisoned.
Provide young trees with shade covers, wind breaks, or frost blankets when conditions turn harsh. Keep trees consistently watered before and after stress periods. Wait for new growth to assess damage.
Root Damage
Construction work, digging, or aggressive weeding around a peach tree can inadvertently damage the root system. With roots impaired, the tree is unable to take up water and nutrients, causing leaves to dehydrate, wilt, and drop off.
Avoid wounding roots near the tree’s dripline. If accidental damage occurs, prune back the canopy to reduce transpiration stress while roots recover. Water deeply and add a thick mulch layer.
What To Do About Summer Leaf Drop
Summer leaf drop is rarely fatal on its own. But take steps to remedy the issue and prevent recurrence:
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Closely inspect trees to diagnose why leaves are falling. Look for pests, wilting, spots, etc.
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Test soil moisture and drainage. Improve watering practices if needed.
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Do soil testing to reveal nutrient deficiencies. Add compost or fertilizer.
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Prune away diseased or pest-infested branches. Disinfect tools after each cut.
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Monitor for environmental stresses and protect trees when risks appear.
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Add organic mulch around trees to moderate soil temperature and moisture.
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Be patient. Leaves dropped due to shock often regrow after a few weeks.
When To Worry About Summer Leaf Drop
While some summer leaf loss is normal, contact an arborist if:
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Leaf loss rapidly worsens, leaving large bare branches.
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You see sap oozing from the trunk or major limbs.
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Leaves are dropping but you cannot isolate an obvious cause.
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New growth fails to appear after 4-6 weeks.
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Trees show other signs of distress like stunted growth.
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Leaf drop recurs every summer despite interventions.
Severe defoliation that continues unchecked can significantly weaken peach trees. But a timely response to summer leaf drop can get your tree back in lush leaf and prime form for an abundant harvest. With proper care, your peach tree should regain its vibrancy season after season.
FAQs About Peach Trees Losing Leaves
Do peach trees lose their leaves in summer?
Peach trees are deciduous, which means they naturally drop their leaves every year. So, leaf loss in late fall or early winter is healthy and necessary. As for peach trees that lose leaves at other times of the year, a pest or disease could be the cause.
Is it normal for trees to lose leaves in the summer?
Some trees like birches and peach trees will drop leaves in summer due to heat or drought stress. It’s the tree’s survival mechanism to conserve moisture. Providing adequate water during hot, dry periods can help prevent premature summer leaf drop.
Can you overwater a peach tree?
Yes, it is possible to overwater a peach tree. Constant damp soil due to overwatering limits oxygen to the roots and encourages fungal diseases. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry between waterings to prevent harm from oversaturation.
Why does my peach tree look like it’s dying?
If a peach tree is losing its leaves, blossoms, or fruit during the spring and summer, it could be dying. Peach tree short life disease or root damage are common reasons for sudden leaf loss and decline. Calling an arborist to inspect distressed trees is recommended.
Do peach tree leaves change color in fall?
Yep! Peach tree leaves take on classic fall colors like red, orange, brown or yellow.
How to cure peach leaf curl
Once the fungus is in full swing—i. e. , you have peach tree leaves folding, changing color and dropping—there’s no way to stop it. You’ll have to let the disease run its course and then plan to treat the tree with a fungicide before next years growing season.