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Black putrid smelling streaks on crabapple tree #871214

Asked June 02, 2024, 9:46 PM EDT

See images of my Adam's crabapple tree. Some leaves on a few branches turn yellow each year and the branch dies. This year, I am seeing this black wet mass at the trunk base and along the cracked open section of the trunk. What should I apply to address this situation?

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

I also wanted to ask about these branches. Is it normal for the bark to peel?

The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2024, 1:20 PM EDT

Hi Heidi,

This page may help you figure out what's going on:

https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/crabapple/

The problem to be most concerned about is fireblight. Clicking on the PDF file at this site gives you a good overview:

https://extension.sdstate.edu/fire-blight

The canopy of the tree looks thick and pretty healthy. This also could be wetwood, a condition that usually doesn't kill a tree. See this page:

https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/tree-plant-care/plant-care-resources/wetwood/#overview

You may want to get a certified arborist to visit and see the tree in person. You can find one here:

https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist

I hope this helps. Good luck.

MJ Replied June 04, 2024, 6:21 PM EDT

This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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