Many peach trees in Illinois have been infected this year with the fungal disease peach leaf curl, discussed in the May 6, 1998, issue of this newsletter. According to fruit pathologist Dr. Steve Ries, fruit set has been heavy on peach trees he has seen. His recommendation is to thin the tree to at least six inches between fruit. This will allow the fruit to size better, will save the tree by preventing wood breakage from too heavy a fruit load, and will help prevent further disease problems. Ries also stated that the peach leaf curl fungus is now sporulating in central Illinois. Sporulation will give the leaves a dusty appearance. These spores will not infect again this year but are inoculum for next year’s infection.