Crabapple Tree - is it dying? - Ask Extension
We were fertilizing our lawn with liquid fertilizer and some got on the leaves of our crabapple tree. The leaves turned brown but it looked like mayb...
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Crabapple Tree - is it dying? #871058
Asked June 01, 2024, 2:06 PM EDT
We were fertilizing our lawn with liquid fertilizer and some got on the leaves of our crabapple tree. The leaves turned brown but it looked like maybe some buds were coming back. We've watered it regularly but now the leaves are crunchy and brown and it looks very dead. The branches are still green under the bark. Is it dead or should we continue to water regularly and wait to see what happens?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
If there is green under the bark the branch is alive. It will leaf out again but it will probably be a month or more. Be sure to check soil moisture before water, in light of all the rain, it should be dry at a depth of two inches before watering. Check moisture levels weekly. New leaves are very tender and that is why they died so there is a good chance your tree will recover.
