Apple tree problem - Ask Extension
Afternoon folks. Hoping you might be able to help us out.
We have two apple trees, about 10 years old. Each pruned during the late winter. Two yea...
Knowledgebase
Apple tree problem #402534
Asked May 26, 2017, 10:12 AM EDT
Afternoon folks. Hoping you might be able to help us out.
We have two apple trees, about 10 years old. Each pruned during the late winter. Two years ago, we received a bumper crop of apples. However, last May, both trees began shedding their leaves and young fruit very quickly. We live in upstate NY, and had a very early thaw, bloom, and then freeze in early May, so we chalked up the shedding to weather. Both trees stopped dropping in June/July, and appeared on the mend.
As I write to you now, both trees are at it again. Leaves are yellow spotted, browning and dropping as I sit underneath. Water supply is no different than any other year. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have included a few pics as well.
Thank you.
Sent from my iPhone
Rensselaer County New York
Expert Response
There are a wide number of scabs, blights and other pathogens that affect apples in NY state and that can produce the effect that you describe seeing. It would be helpful to know what type of apple tree you have (if you know), whether you see any malformation or growth on the bark or twigs of your trees, and what condition the young fruit is in before it drops. Also, do the spots and brown patches produce any pronounced structure on the underside or surface of the leaf over time?
Sorry to add this homework to your day but it will help reaching a more accurate diagnosis. Your trees are most likely being affected by a pathogen that is overwintering in the leaf litter under the trees or its bark and attacking in the damp conditions of spring.
Sorry to add this homework to your day but it will help reaching a more accurate diagnosis. Your trees are most likely being affected by a pathogen that is overwintering in the leaf litter under the trees or its bark and attacking in the damp conditions of spring.
Thank you very much for your reply...and no worries about any extra homework. Happy to send any info I can.
I do do not know what type of apple tree specifically, other than it is a dwarf variety.
I have included some some pictures Showing some new vertical scarring, and an instance of bark malformation. Only a few instances of either.
I also included a pic of the falling fruit. About 20% of the fruit remains in the tree, and is currently 1/2 inch in diameter.
The leaves do not have any strange growth after they spot, brown and fall.
Again....our sincerest thanks for your time and help.
Jamie
I do do not know what type of apple tree specifically, other than it is a dwarf variety.
I have included some some pictures Showing some new vertical scarring, and an instance of bark malformation. Only a few instances of either.
I also included a pic of the falling fruit. About 20% of the fruit remains in the tree, and is currently 1/2 inch in diameter.
The leaves do not have any strange growth after they spot, brown and fall.
Again....our sincerest thanks for your time and help.
Jamie
Jamie,
Thank you for the additional excellent photographs. There is no sign of any insect, fungal or bacterial agents acting on your leaves and fruit which suggests that your trees are suffering from a nutritional deficit of some sort. The bark, yellowing leaf and abortive fruit may all be a result the lack iron or manganese or other common micronutrients. These or other minerals may be absent in the soil, or a pH imbalance in the soil may be preventing the trees from taking up the nutrients they require. There is a very narrow band of acceptable soil pH at which nutritional componants are available to plants. The problem can be exacerbated by too much water on the site or soil compaction.
You should undertake a soil analysis to determine what the exact problem is. Here is a link to your county's Cornell Cooperative Extension soil testing services webpage: http://ccerensselaer.org/gardening/soils-climate/soil-testing-services. They offer expert soil analysis to home gardeners at a reasonable price.
Here are two other links that you may find interesting, with more information on the effects of nutrition on fruit trees: http://extension.wsu.edu/benton-franklin/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2013/12/NutrientDisordersInTF-p... and http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/iron-chlorosis/.
Please let us know if we can be of further help.
Thank you for the additional excellent photographs. There is no sign of any insect, fungal or bacterial agents acting on your leaves and fruit which suggests that your trees are suffering from a nutritional deficit of some sort. The bark, yellowing leaf and abortive fruit may all be a result the lack iron or manganese or other common micronutrients. These or other minerals may be absent in the soil, or a pH imbalance in the soil may be preventing the trees from taking up the nutrients they require. There is a very narrow band of acceptable soil pH at which nutritional componants are available to plants. The problem can be exacerbated by too much water on the site or soil compaction.
You should undertake a soil analysis to determine what the exact problem is. Here is a link to your county's Cornell Cooperative Extension soil testing services webpage: http://ccerensselaer.org/gardening/soils-climate/soil-testing-services. They offer expert soil analysis to home gardeners at a reasonable price.
Here are two other links that you may find interesting, with more information on the effects of nutrition on fruit trees: http://extension.wsu.edu/benton-franklin/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2013/12/NutrientDisordersInTF-p... and http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/iron-chlorosis/.
Please let us know if we can be of further help.
Thank you very much for your help folks...it is greatly appreciated. We will be following up on some of the leads you sent.
Enjoy the the rest of the growing season.
J
Enjoy the the rest of the growing season.
J
