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Orange leaves on crabapple tree #868872

Asked May 17, 2024, 12:15 PM EDT

We just noticed that on a few branches of our crabapple tree the leaves have turned orange. 3 pix, whole tree, the most-afflicted branch, and leaf closeup.

New Castle County Delaware

Expert Response

This tree looks very sparse and generally stressed. This doesn't look like a disease issue. I would double check the base of the tree for any mechanical damage, check how deeply the tree is planted, and check for any deep mulching. What are the watering practices for this tree? If it was planted in the past few years, it needs regular water until the roots are incorporated into the surrounding soil, and during periods of drought. I would suggest calling the Master Gardener helpline and troubleshooting what the issue may be: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/environmental-stewardship/master-gardeners/garden-helpline/

Jill Pollok Replied May 21, 2024, 1:36 PM EDT
Thank you,
I'm not surprised that the tree would be stressed. It is not that new; more than ten years. However, I should have thought to have the overall photo show the base. It is grafted to be dwarfed, and it is apparently a somewhat hostile graft. The rootstock is 2-3 times as wide as the trunk above the graft. I remove root suckers a few times per season. The base is not mulched.

We didn't specifically water the tree after the first two seasons. Perhaps it needs a bit of feeding.

Larry J Van Stone

On Tue, May 21, 2024 at 1:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 21, 2024, 3:25 PM EDT

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