Lisa, Thinning refers to removing fruit, not pruning. It can be confusing because there is a term called, "thinning cuts", which refer to a type of pruning. However, when the word thinning is used in the context of fruit, it simply means removing some of the fruit and has nothing to do with pruning. Removing some of the fruit is beneficial because it allows the fruit remaining to become much bigger. It prevents broken branches because too many fruits will weigh branches down and break them. It also keeps trees healthier because it prevents over-cropping. So Jellyman was telling you to "thin-off" all the oozing peaches first (since they will be no good anyway). Then make sure there is a minimum of 6" or more of branch space between the remaining fruits. If there is not a minimum of 6-8" of branch space, then keep removing fruit until you've met that criteria. It's not unusual to remove 80% or more of the fruit from a peach tree. If you still have some good fruits left on the tree, it would be advisable to protect those with an insecticide. Triazicide Once and Done is a good choice and available at Walmart. You asked if it is OK to prune now. There may be no need to prune now, but if you feel a need, it is OK to prune now. Just understand when you prune off wood, you may be pruning off some fruit too. Naturally, any wood that is pruned, also removes the fruit attached to it. For leaf curl, you can spray either in the fall or spring (under heavy pressure) or just in the spring. For a fall spray, spray after the trees loose their leaves. Not every single leaf has to be gone, but the tree needs to be pretty bare when you spray it. Being a long way from MA, I have no idea what month this would occur. For the leaf curl spring spray, spray sometime before the buds start to swell. The idea is you want the peach trees still fully dormant when you apply the spring spray. Once the trees start waking up in the spring, it's too late to protect them against leaf curl. My guess is as soon as your winter snow melts would be a good time to get out there and spray for leaf curl. One side effect is your neighbors will think you're crazy spraying bare trees. For entertainment, you can encourage this perception by watering your trees while it's snowing. Do this while wearing a nightgown.

Prunus persica '_'. There are several purple-leaved cultivars, although not all double red-flowered by any means.

I have a leaf problem on my purple leaf plum tree. I took a leaf sample to a horticulturist at the Fort Worth botanical garden. He was puzzled by the problem and suggested that I plant another tree because purple plums have a 10 year lifespan where I live. He wasn't sure but said it might be a leaf borer or miner. I asked for treatment ideas and he said he didn't know. So, I took my problem to a nursery. Same thing....think its a leaf miner but not sure. They suggested a fertilizer and increase watering because the tree might be sick. The purple leaf and has white circles (like drops of paint) and a lot of holes (bb size). The white spots turn to brown before the hole appears. All old leaves are affected not new growth. Its just a foliage problem. From pics that i have seen, it's not typical of a leaf miner problem. No bugs are on the tree. No mites on the bottom of the leaves. Just white spots and lots of holes. Anyone have any suggestion on what my problem might be and possible treatment?

It is a fungus better known as "rust", not bacterial spot. Bacterial spot are black dots and more towards the tip of the leaf and on the fruit. The best treatment that I found is a soil drench using Dithane M-45. Mix 2 Tablespoons (1oz) to one gallon of water. To that mix you can also add water soluble fertilizer such as tomato 18-18-21 or 20-20-20 using the same amounts stated. Re-apply again in 10-days, then re-apply 10-days after that again. You can also spray the trunk, branches, and leaves with this mix. The best document actually a Power Point presentation that shows all types of peach disease and how to treat them can be found here: http://www.imok.ufl.edu/misc_news/peach_field_day06/diseases_of_peach.ppt Very informative pdf doc. http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp/pathology/pathcirc/pp69.pdf Here is a link that might be useful: Diseases of Peach in Central and South Florida