Peacock Spot

Symptoms by part

Causes

• Prolonged periods of cool, wet weather
• High humidity within the tree canopy
• Poor air circulation around the foliage
• Splashing water that spreads fungal spores from infected leaves to healthy ones

Could be confused with

• Nutrient deficiency · Deficiencies usually cause uniform yellowing or patterns across the whole leaf, whereas Peacock Spot creates distinct, localized circular spots.
• Cercospora leaf spot · Cercospora typically appears as gray or ash colored patches on the underside of leaves without the distinct concentric ring pattern of Peacock Spot.

Treatment

1. Prune out and remove any branches showing heavy infection to improve airflow.
2. Rake up and destroy all fallen leaves from beneath the tree to remove the primary source of spores.
3. Thin the canopy to allow sunlight and air to reach the inner branches.

Without chemicals

• Pruning to open up the center of the tree for better ventilation.
• Removing and disposing of all leaf litter from the ground.
• Avoiding overhead irrigation that wets the leaves.

Chemical options

• Potassium bicarbonate, mix with water and spray onto foliage to alter the pH on the leaf surface, follow the label.

Preventing it

• Select olive varieties known for better resistance to fungal issues.
• Space trees far enough apart to ensure good airflow as they mature.
• Keep the area under the tree clean of debris to prevent spores from overwintering.
• Water at the base of the tree rather than wetting the leaves.

When to act

Act as soon as you notice the first circular spots appearing on the leaves. If the tree is very large and the infection is widespread, you may need to hire a professional tree surgeon to safely prune the canopy.

Questions people ask

Will my tree die from Peacock Spot?

It is unlikely to kill a healthy tree, but it will cause significant leaf loss and stress the plant, making it less productive.

Can I compost the fallen leaves?

No, do not compost infected leaves as the fungus can survive and spread back to your trees. It is best to burn them or dispose of them in your regular trash.

Does the disease affect the fruit?

Peacock Spot primarily affects the leaves, though severe cases can lead to reduced fruit quality due to the tree having less energy to support a harvest.

Plants it affects

• Fig
• Olive tree