Crabapple Yellow Brown Leaves - Ask Extension
My ~ 2 year old crabapple (Red Barron) has some yellowing leaf tips and dry leaves. I am wondering if this is a disease that needs treatment, or if it...
Knowledgebase
Crabapple Yellow Brown Leaves #930062
Asked April 29, 2026, 3:42 PM EDT
My ~ 2 year old crabapple (Red Barron) has some yellowing leaf tips and dry leaves. I am wondering if this is a disease that needs treatment, or if it just froze during a cold weather event?
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Ann, from your photos it appears that red leaves may be an indication of warm days followed by cold nights affecting chlorophyll production, phosphorus or iron deficiency or some environmental cause like freeze. The irregular spots and dried tips may indicate insects or fungus. Since there doesn't appear to be leaf or stem curling it may indicate it is not fire blight. Your best bet is to bring in a sample of leave with some stem to the Extension office in Longmont which is open M-F 8 - 4:00. The tree team volunteers will be starting later in the season and could be scheduled for a home visit at modest cost.
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/backyard-orchard-apples-and-pears/
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/growing-tree-fruit-in-colorado-gardens/
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/backyard-orchard-apples-and-pears/
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/growing-tree-fruit-in-colorado-gardens/
