Dying apple tree? - Ask Extension
My wife and I have an apple tree in our back yard. It's 6 or 7 years old. This past spring it produced a huge number of blossoms, so for the first tim...
Knowledgebase
Dying apple tree? #358276
Asked August 31, 2016, 8:44 AM EDT
My wife and I have an apple tree in our back yard. It's 6 or 7 years old. This past spring it produced a huge number of blossoms, so for the first time we were expecting to see a large number of apples emerge. But as time passed, we realized that only 15 or so young apples had appeared. And now the tree appears to be dying. Most leaves have turned brown, and the few apples have stopped growing. Can you tell us what happened and whether the tree can be saved? I've attached a photo to help you see the tree's current condition. I can send two or three more if doing so would help.
Johnson County Iowa
Expert Response
The factor or factors affecting the apple tree cannot be determined based on your brief description and photograph. The condition of the tree likely won't be known until next spring. In the meantime, there is little that can be done to help the tree.
If you like, you can take additional photos of the tree and send those to the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic (<personal data hidden>). The additional photos should include a photo of the entire tree and two or three closeup photos of affected leaves on the tree.
If you like, you can take additional photos of the tree and send those to the ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic (<personal data hidden>). The additional photos should include a photo of the entire tree and two or three closeup photos of affected leaves on the tree.
