Possible disease of flowering crab tree - Ask Extension
We have a mature flowering crab tree that is continually dropping its leaves this summer. The leaf color when the leaves drop are yellow with sploches...
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Possible disease of flowering crab tree #879548
Asked July 31, 2024, 10:26 AM EDT
We have a mature flowering crab tree that is continually dropping its leaves this summer. The leaf color when the leaves drop are yellow with sploches of green and brown spots. This also occurred last summer, but the leaf drop was not as severe. It seems it has a disease, possibly a fungal disease? How and when is the best time to treat the tree? Please see attached picture. Thank you!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Good Morning Chris,
Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service.
Please click on the following link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website:
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/leaf-spot-diseases-trees-and-shrubs
Here is another link about apple scab on crabapples: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab
Both of these links explain leaf drop and management of the diseases in detail. With the cooler and wet weather we had this spring, more trees have been affected by fungal diseases.
Good Luck!
