3 Common Diseases That May Affect Crabapple Trees

Of course, proper care of your trees is essential if you want them to remain healthy and attractive. Although durable and easy to grow, the crabapple tree is susceptible to a few diseases. With this guide and the help of professionals, you will understand and be able to treat a few common diseases that may affect your crabapple tree.

In most cases, apple scab infections start in the early spring, so you may first start noticing these imperfections on young leaves. The scabs will be light green in color, but turn to a darker olive-green shade over time.

Apple scab disease is caused by a fungus, which may develop most commonly in warm, moist environments. If your crabapple tree receives too much moisture, whether from excess rain, irrigation, or a lack of sunlight, the fungal growth is likely to occur.

Prevention is your best option for treatment. To prevent the development of apple scab, avoid overwatering your tree. This will help reduce the risk of fungal growth.

If your crabapple is showing signs of apple scab, an application of fungicide will be necessary. Most experts recommend pruning off infected fruit and limbs, as well, to stop the fungal growth from spreading to other areas of the tree.

As the name suggests, the disease causes the leaves of your tree to look like they have been set on fire. Infected leaves will appear scorched. While they do die, the leaves will not fall off the tree.

If your crabapple tree is infected with fire blight disease, you may also notice reddish lesions on the bark. The lesions may ooze a watery, tan liquid. Eventually, the disease will spread to the fruit and flowers, causing them to die as well. Without intervention, fire blight disease can kill your entire tree.

Hire a tree service to remove diseased leaves, fruit, and limbs. If the trunk is infected, they may also need to remove portions of the bark to stop the disease from spreading further through the tree.

You may notice small green or yellow spots on the foliage first, but these spots enlarge and darken into a rust-like color very quickly. The lesions may also develop under the leaves and on the fruit. Most crabapple trees infected by cedar apple rust will produce malformed fruit.

At the very first sign of cedar apple rust, you should apply a fungicide to the entire tree. Pruning any foliage that shows the lesions is also important for stopping the fungal disease from spreading throughout your tree.

Crabapple trees may be easy to grow and maintain, but they are still at risk of certain diseases. Fortunately, help is available. For more information on caring for your crabapple or other trees or learning how to prevent/treat these common diseases, contact County Tree Service today.