Crabapple Tree

Question: Hi, Our crabapple appears to be dying.  2 winters ago during the heavy snow, rabbits ate off the bark (not completely) on the trunk.  This past spring it flowered like normal, but after losing its flowers, its now starting to lose its leaves as you can see. The bark has seem to come back nicely.  Is it due to the rabbits or is there a blight/disease?  Is there something I can do or is it just "time will tell" and let nature take its course?  Would it make sense to call an arborist or tree company to look at it?  If so do you have any recommendations?  Thank you!

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied June 18, 2024, 1:21 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. I need a close up of the out side a twig where the leaves are dying, not dead.  Then, I would like you to cut that branch where it is about 1/2 inch in diameter and send me two pics, one the cross-section where you cut the branch and the other of the bark near the cut. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/crabapple/branchdieback.html I would guess botyris but I need more information.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2024, 10:53 AM EDT
response: Hi Steve,  Here are the pics you requested. I hope they are good enough.  Let me know your thoughts or if you need anything else.    Appreciate your help! Thank you, Steve    From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 12:21 PM To: Steve Piechowski <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Crabapple Tree (#0143526)

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied June 20, 2024, 11:05 AM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back. Has this tree been exposed to aerosolized herbicides (weed killer) from your yard or from a neighbor? https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/gardening-and-horticulture/trees-and-shrubs/apple-trees/apple-tree-leaf

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2024, 7:11 PM EDT
response: Not that I am aware of.   I spot spray in dandelions or weeds and don't have many to begin with. None around the tree.   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2024 10:05 AM To: Steve Piechowski <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Crabapple Tree (#0143526)

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied June 20, 2024, 7:38 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back. Here is the list I am working from now.  The cut cross branch would seem to rule out Botryosphaeria canker. That pushes me to fire blight or scab,  https://extension.psu.edu/crabapple-diseases  I prefer scab, it is most common and the leave descripion matches yours. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab#fungicides-to-protect-ornamental-crabapples-from-apple-scab-3652960  You have a couple options. You could send a speciment toe the Univsity Plan disease department. https://pdc.umn.edu/submit-sample You could ask and arborist to comel . https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional  Given the siize of the tree I do not think you could apply anti fungals yourself.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 26, 2024, 1:43 PM EDT
response: Hi Steve,  I have called a couple tree companys.  The first one to come out recommended, since its too late in the season to treat the scab, is to do an injection in the tree now and fertilize the tree in the fall.  They then would treat the scab in the spring.  Do you think the injection now and fertilize is necessary for the treatment of the tree?   I am still waiting for the other company to reach back out to me.   Thanks, Steve        From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2024 6:38 PM To: Steve Piechowski <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Crabapple Tree (#0143526)    Dear Steve, here's the response to your question: Thank you for writing back. Here is the list I am working from now.  The cut cross branch would seem to rule out Botryosphaeria canker. That pushes me to fire blight or scab,  https://extension.psu.edu/crabapple-diseases  I prefer scab, it is most common and the leave descripion matches yours. https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab#fungicides-to-protect-ornamental-crabapples-from-apple-scab-3652960  You have a couple options. You could send a speciment toe the Univsity Plan disease department. https://pdc.umn.edu/submit-sample You could ask and arborist to comel . https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional  Given the siize of the tree I do not think you could apply anti fungals yourself. Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email. Click here to view #0143526 Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (Not an AI Bot) I am always happy to receive follow-up questions if I do not fully address your question. Sterilizing pruning tools prevents disease. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/clean-and-disinfect-gardening-tools  We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.

responder: MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied July 07, 2024, 9:02 AM EDT
response: Fertilizing the tree in the fall is not a recommended procedure. Stimulating growth when a tree should be going dormant may produce new growth that is tender and easily killed by the first frost.   These trees generally don’t need fertilizer.  Fertilizing the tree now giving it time to harden new growth would be okay. But the best time is to wait until spring. Overfertilizing can reduce blossoming and fruit production.  I can’t comment on the injection without knowing what they are recommending. But it not a recommended procedure unless they found something other than apple scab.  The most important thing you can do to prevent return of apple scab is to clean up leaf/branch/fruit litter from under the tree in fall.