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Crabapple tree issues #880328

Asked August 05, 2024, 7:04 PM EDT

Our Crabapple tree was fine last year. This year our blossoms fell off right after blooming and the leaves started looking yellow and spotty shortly after they appeared. Very little fruit. Most of the leaves have died and are falling off. Not sure if the tree has gotten a disease or if it is dying. Do you have any info on this?

Thank You

Monroe County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello Mary,

I’m sorry to hear about your crabapple tree. Apple and crabapples are susceptible to several diseases such as fire blight, scab, canker, and rust to name a few. Read more here: https://extension.psu.edu/crabapple-diseases And here: https://portal.ct.gov/CAES/Fact-Sheets/Plant-Pathology/Common-Diseases-of-Crabapple

The trees are also prone to attack by insects such as mites, aphids and Japanese beetles. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/apple-crabapple-insects/

Your tree could suffer from more than one of these fungal diseases. In order to control a fungal disease, rake up and dispose of affected leaves to remove fungal spores (the spores can splash up on the tree when during rainstorms. Read more here: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/cedar-apple-rust

Of course, it is difficult to diagnose a problem from pictures. For a more definitive diagnosis and instructions on treatment, submit a sample to MSU Extension’s Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab at https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/

You can also contact a certified arborist for an assessment of the tree. To find an arborist in your area, go to www.treesaregood.org, the website of the International Society of Arboriculture.

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 06, 2024, 11:37 AM EDT

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