Fungus Control in Crabapple Tree - Ask Extension
I have an 8 year old crabapple tree that developed a white fuzz this year. I thought it might be powdery mildew and sprayed it with Neem oil. Th...
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Fungus Control in Crabapple Tree #206896
Asked August 15, 2014, 3:07 PM EDT
I have an 8 year old crabapple tree that developed a white fuzz this year. I thought it might be powdery mildew and sprayed it with Neem oil. The Neem oil did not help. The fungus appears to be killing patches of sod below the tree as well. I have attached photos of the fungus to get your opinion on what it really is. I am just guessing it is fungus.
What would you recommend to spray on the tree to remove the white fuzz and treat the sod?
thanks
Brian
Douglas County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Brian:
it seems that you have the woolly apple aphid on your crab apple. Here's a link to our fact sheet on aphids and what you can do to control them:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05511.html
I have not heard of aphids killing the sod underneath a tree. I'm thinking the sod issue is unrelated. Is it too shady in that area? Is the tree taking too much water? I also noticed that the area right around the trunk of your tree shows signs of maybe the string b&b trees are normally tied with. Was that string removed at the time of planting? It also looks like there's some type of plastic or burlap over the root ball? If there is, it should've been removed at the time of planting. If these are issues, addressing those would reduce stress to the tree and help with any insect infestation. You might also create a mulch circle around the trunk to prevent lawn mower damage.
Hope this helps.
Ursula
it seems that you have the woolly apple aphid on your crab apple. Here's a link to our fact sheet on aphids and what you can do to control them:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05511.html
I have not heard of aphids killing the sod underneath a tree. I'm thinking the sod issue is unrelated. Is it too shady in that area? Is the tree taking too much water? I also noticed that the area right around the trunk of your tree shows signs of maybe the string b&b trees are normally tied with. Was that string removed at the time of planting? It also looks like there's some type of plastic or burlap over the root ball? If there is, it should've been removed at the time of planting. If these are issues, addressing those would reduce stress to the tree and help with any insect infestation. You might also create a mulch circle around the trunk to prevent lawn mower damage.
Hope this helps.
Ursula
