Eco-friendly Control of Apple Scab
Leafless crabapple trees are a common sight in summers following a cool wet spring. Start now to eliminate the problem next season.
Apple scab, a fungal disease, causes olive green to black spots on leaves and fruits. These spots can grow together and severely infected leaves will drop prematurely.
Rake and destroy the fallen leaves and fruit. This eliminates the source of disease for next year. Sanitation and drier weather can keep this disease to a tolerable level.
Consider replacing susceptible crabapples that routinely and prematurely drop their leaves due to scab. You’ll save time and increase your enjoyment when investing in a disease resistant variety.
And don’t worry if you occasionally see spots on your new plant. Tolerant varieties may develop a few spots but the leaves will persist. And even resistant varieties can develop a few spotted leaves in extremely bad scab years.
A bit more information: Though scab infested and resulting leafless trees detract from the beauty of your garden, they usually survive. Consider leaving the old plant in place until your new disease resistant plant becomes established and starts to steal the show. In the meantime, you can enjoy the blooms on both trees.
Related
Audio
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 26, 2025
Organic Gardening Basics
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 3, 2025
Low-Maintenance Gardening
Merton, WI
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 10, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 11, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
May 17, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 18, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
June 8, 2025
Selecting the Right Hydrangea
for Your Landscape
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 14, 2025
Houseplants 101
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 20, 2025 (event 6/20-6/22)
Pollinator Celebration
Vino in the Valley
Maiden Rock, WI
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More