Some years I have a bit of a leaf issue on pluot in the greenhouse. I've thought in the past it might be a spray issue. But the tree pictured hasn't been sprayed except with Zinc chelate. I don't think that's the problem since the leaf issue is always isolated and all the pluots were sprayed the same. No rain so disease is unlikely. In any case it's not enough to even cost me one piece of fruit.

I posted about the same problem, and really only on my pears as far as tree leaves go. Mine's definitely a night feeder. I haven't done the flashlight thing, but judging by a nearby grape vine, I know I have cutworms there and apparently they can affect fruit trees! Who knew, lol? I'm treating for cutworms and I'll see if that does it. My pears are young (not many leaves/branches) and begin branching low to the ground, too. So cutworms could make sense in my case. I don't know if that helps you any, but maybe so :)

It looks like a European plum that had too much heat this year. My Euro plums also look pretty ragged now, it was a rough August for them. Do watch it next year for signs of disease, there may have been some problem earlier. I had aphid problems which helped make my Euro plums ragged this year. Scott

when its darn well ready??? .. and ma nature puts it over the top ... an history of late fertilizing.. that may have interrupted fall hardening off???? ... including fert' a lawn which the tree sits in the middle of???? there is a very active fruit forum ... should we fail you ...but you are more than welcome here.. anytime ... all that said.. young trees do weird things.... i think i read that in the fruit forum the other day .... ken