Apples leaves - Ask Extension
Apples leaves are curling and turning brown in places. Scattered throughout the tree. What is causing this?
Knowledgebase
Apples leaves #871052
Asked June 01, 2024, 12:33 PM EDT
Apples leaves are curling and turning brown in places. Scattered throughout the tree. What is causing this?
Columbia County Oregon
Expert Response
Geneva: This is a fungal disease called "apple scab". It is very common in western Oregon. Some apple trees are almost completely resistant to it. Others are very susceptible. Most apples varieties are in between in susceptibility. A rainy spring like we are having makes the disease "happier" and the apple more affected. You may see some "scabbiness" on the surface of the apples, hence the disease name. It can also cause distortion of the fruit. That said, you can peel away the scabbiness and the fruit itself is fine to eat.
Treatments must start just after bloom. The hot/dry weather we are expecting later this week should stop the disease on new leaves and any more damage to fruit for this summer.
If you want to know more, here is link about the disease: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/apple-malus-spp-scab
Chip Bubl OSU Extension Agent/Columbia County (retired)
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Treatments must start just after bloom. The hot/dry weather we are expecting later this week should stop the disease on new leaves and any more damage to fruit for this summer.
If you want to know more, here is link about the disease: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/apple-malus-spp-scab
Chip Bubl OSU Extension Agent/Columbia County (retired)
<personal data hidden>
Thank you! All the pics I saw of apple scab only showed the fruit, so glad it’s pretty straight forward to manage.