What is wrong with this Apple Tree? - Ask Extension
Our client brought in a branch from his apple tree. He has two trees that are affected. The leaves are drying up and dying and they seem to have a l...
Knowledgebase
What is wrong with this Apple Tree? #465499
Asked June 26, 2018, 10:30 AM EDT
Our client brought in a branch from his apple tree. He has two trees that are affected. The leaves are drying up and dying and they seem to have a lot of cobwebs on them. The trees are located in a wooded sandy area in his yard. They are 4 years old, the first year they were ok and they have been getting worse and worse each year since. Thanks in advance for your help.
Alpena County Michigan
Expert Response
It looks like the apple branch was attacked by leaf roller. This would explain the leaves that look like they were partially chewed and the webbing you reported. The most common one on apples is the oblique banded leaf roller, but not seeing the actual worm, this is only a guess. The third picture in the series shows leaves that have been "skeletonized", which is not typical of the oblique banded leaf roller and may be due to the apple leaf skeletonizer. Most healthy apple trees can tolerate 10% loss of leaf area due to chewing with no effect on their health. If the worms also target the fruit, this can be a problem.
It appears that the worms have left the scene so no control measures at this time is needed. I suggest that in the future you inspect the trees every week starting at petal fall to watch out for insect pests. The various sprays are most effective when the larvae are small and before they have webbed leaves, hiding themselves from sprays and birds.
It appears that the worms have left the scene so no control measures at this time is needed. I suggest that in the future you inspect the trees every week starting at petal fall to watch out for insect pests. The various sprays are most effective when the larvae are small and before they have webbed leaves, hiding themselves from sprays and birds.
