What is infecting my crabapple? - Ask Extension
Hello there extension service,
I was gifted a crabapple tree four years ago that has appeared healthy the last three years and this spring has sho...
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What is infecting my crabapple? #875419
Asked June 30, 2024, 11:39 PM EDT
Hello there extension service,
I was gifted a crabapple tree four years ago that has appeared healthy the last three years and this spring has shown signs of a potentially serious infection. As I was taking pictures of the dying branches I noticed the bark had some oozing down the side I hadn't seen before. I did try to trim a few of the dead branches last week, but then it rained and I'm worried I made it worse. I was operating thinking this may be fire blight. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help!
Yamhill County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Katrina,
I'm sorry to hear that you might be suspecting fire blight, which is a devastating disease.
The photos are not clear enough for me to determine whether or not fire blight is affecting your crabapple tree. Since you can examine the branches up close, the following links will aid you in determining the cause. If it is fire blight, the simplest solution is to completely remove the tree and burn it so that spores don't spread to other trees.
OSU Extension publications, PNW Plant Disease Handbook on "Fire blight in Crabapples". Follow the link on this page to "Pear Fireblight" for a complete description and how to control it.
University of Minnesota Extension, "Fire Blight", has more information on this disease and what to do about it.
You can always remove an affected branch, bag it securely, then take it to the Yamhill County OSU Extension office to have a Master Gardener there examine it in person.
I'm sorry to hear that you might be suspecting fire blight, which is a devastating disease.
The photos are not clear enough for me to determine whether or not fire blight is affecting your crabapple tree. Since you can examine the branches up close, the following links will aid you in determining the cause. If it is fire blight, the simplest solution is to completely remove the tree and burn it so that spores don't spread to other trees.
OSU Extension publications, PNW Plant Disease Handbook on "Fire blight in Crabapples". Follow the link on this page to "Pear Fireblight" for a complete description and how to control it.
University of Minnesota Extension, "Fire Blight", has more information on this disease and what to do about it.
You can always remove an affected branch, bag it securely, then take it to the Yamhill County OSU Extension office to have a Master Gardener there examine it in person.
