Southeast Wisconsin's crabapple trees have been battling a tough opponent this year: apple scab. The culprit is the weather with our unusually wet and warm spring. This combination created the perfect environment for this fungal disease to thrive. While apple scab can make your crab trees look less than their best and reduce fruit yield, the good news is that with proper care, your trees can bounce back. Though left untreated the disease can become a chronic issue that weakens the tree year after year.
There are many varieties of crabapple trees. Different varieties range in severity of the disease from highly resistant to highly susceptible to scab. Generally speaking, newer varieties tend to be cultivated to have resistance to the apple scab disease. This resistance can weaken as the tree ages.
How Apple Scab Spreads
Fungi, like the one that causes apple scab, spread their spores through moisture. This spring's extended rainy periods provided the perfect opportunity for these spores to travel and infect trees. Warm temperatures further fueled the spread of the disease. So you can imagine what can happen with a record year of moisture.
Helping Your Crabapple Trees Fight Back
Here are some steps you can take to help your crab trees overcome apple scab:
Fungicide Sprays:Â Fungicide applications are the most effective way to combat apple scab. These preventative sprays should be applied before symptoms appear, typically during the bud development stage. These slow the spread of the fungus. We have organic and conventional formulations to help protect your trees. Treatment is done preventively before apple scab becomes established. The program consists of a series of 2-3 applications timed about 2-3 weeks apart.
Fertilize for Strong Trees: Healthy trees are better equipped to fight off disease. A balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees can help strengthen your trees' natural defenses and promote overall health. Hoppe Tree Service's Certified Arborists can create a fertilizer plan specifically for your trees. Fertilization can help strengthen a tree that has been hit hard by apple scab.
Growth Regulators:Â In some cases, growth regulators can help prevent fruit from cracking or becoming misshapen due to apple scab infection. Growth regulators can curb the effects of apple scab while also increasing the health of the fine-absorbing roots of the tree. Consult with a Hoppe arborist to see if this is a good option for your trees.
(Non-treated tree, severe case of apple scab disease. This tree is not dead.)
(Treated-tree. Treatment can make a dramatic difference and hold the leaves on much longer and keep the tree healthier.)
Prevention is Key
By incorporating these services into your crabapple tree care routine, you can significantly reduce the risk of apple scab in future seasons, and keep it under control.
Want to Learn More?
Contact Hoppe Tree Service for more information on apple scab management and treatment options. Our team of Certified Arborists can help your crabapple trees overcome this challenge and continue to be a beautiful part of your landscape for years to come!
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