Snow Crab Apple Tree - Ask Extension
Hello - I had a snow crab apple tree (2.5" dia.) planted end of May by a local tree nursery. the tree is a white flowering, fruitless tree. I h...
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Snow Crab Apple Tree #876711
Asked July 10, 2024, 3:42 PM EDT
Hello - I had a snow crab apple tree (2.5" dia.) planted end of May by a local tree nursery. the tree is a white flowering, fruitless tree. I have noticed that the leaves are developing brown/black spots, eventually turning yellow and falling off. The tree is losing leaves...more at the bottom and less as you go up the tree, but there are brown spots on the leaves up higher too. I believe I am watering it enough and not overwatering (except for the wet summer so far). In looking online it appears that this is most likely Apple Scab. My question....is there anything I should be doing for the tree? Will this return next year? In reading it seems like it comes from a fungus that stays alive on dropped leaves over the winter. Probably more prevalent at the tree farm. If I ensure there are no leaves around would I be rid of it?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Scab is very prevalent this year because conditions have been favorable for its development. Unfortunately, Spring Snow is very susceptible to this disease.
Learn more here:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/my-spring-snow-crabapple-bloomed-beautifully-spring-has-recently-begun-lose-many-its-leaves-why
Careful leaf cleanup may reduce, but it will not prevent or eliminate future infection.
Although scab may be affecting the tree, it might also be suffering from transplant shock.
https://kentuckyhortnews.com/2019/06/10/helping-trees-survive-planting-2/
You have probably read the following publication, but it's worth book marking or saving for future reference.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab#fungicides-to-protect-ornamental-crabapples-from-apple-scab-3652960
Learn more here:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/my-spring-snow-crabapple-bloomed-beautifully-spring-has-recently-begun-lose-many-its-leaves-why
Careful leaf cleanup may reduce, but it will not prevent or eliminate future infection.
Although scab may be affecting the tree, it might also be suffering from transplant shock.
https://kentuckyhortnews.com/2019/06/10/helping-trees-survive-planting-2/
You have probably read the following publication, but it's worth book marking or saving for future reference.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab#fungicides-to-protect-ornamental-crabapples-from-apple-scab-3652960
