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Peach tree · Prunus persica

Why are my peach tree leaves getting brown tips?

It is less common for peach trees to get brown tips, which usually points to salt buildup or inconsistent moisture. Check your soil moisture levels first to see if the tree is drying out too much between waterings.

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture at a depth of 6 inches.
  2. Inspect the leaves for signs of fungal infections like leaf curl.
  3. Test your water source for high mineral content.

Likely causes

  1. Salt accumulation

    Possible

    How to tell: The tips turn brown and brittle while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens if you use heavy fertilizers or have hard water.

    What to do: Flush the soil by watering deeply with clean, filtered water until it drains out the bottom. Avoid synthetic fertilizers for 4 to 6 weeks to let the roots recover.

  2. Inconsistent watering

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves look dry and crispy at the edges during hot, dry spells. The soil feels bone dry several inches down.

    What to do: Water your tree deeply once a week, ensuring the moisture reaches 12 to 18 inches deep. Apply a 3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to keep the soil cool.

Find out what's wrong with your peach tree

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Worry if the browning spreads rapidly to the entire leaf or causes premature leaf drop. A few brown tips on older leaves during a heatwave is normal.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and use organic compost instead of heavy synthetic fertilizers.

Keep your peach tree healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Should I trim off the brown tips?
Yes, you can snip them off with clean shears to keep the tree looking tidy. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Can tap water cause this?
Yes, if your tap water is very hard or treated with high levels of chlorine, it can cause salt buildup in the soil over time.

More problems with Peach tree

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This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.