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Apple Scab on Crab Apple Trees

5 years ago

I just found out today that both of my crab apple trees have apple scab. The landscaping company quoted $250 to treat.

Wondering if anyone has used a treatment themselves (Ortho, etc.) and had success? Is it possible to treat these issues myself or not worth the time and money?

Husband would rather remove the trees. One I wouldn’t mind removing as I think it’s rather ugly, but the tree in my front yard is my favorite and has an umbrella look to it.

Featured Answer

Aurora Tee (Zone 6a)

5 years ago

I used Davey Tree here in Michigan to treat two crab apples for scab in the early spring every year for five years straight. Really didn't help. Then the trees had an infestion of gypsy moths. I put so much money into the trees and couldn't keep it up. Took them down and replanted with a Japanese maple. I am so much happier.

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Comments (7)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Often not worth treating unless the trees are losing a lot of leaves early. And yes, you can treat it yourself, especially with a smaller tree like a crabapple. Lots of websites that outline recommended procedures if you Google for such.

Or you can always replace with a scab resistant variety or some other small, ornamental tree.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
pretty sure.. you have to start the spray regimen in spring .. it would be of little use to start now ... especially on a deciduous tree ...

full fall clean up would also help ...

whether it can be done.. DYI ... is usually related to the size of the tree .. and your experience level ... and willingness to spray yourself.. or hubby ...

if you agree with hubby on one.. at least get rid of that one ... and reduce the need to spray by half ....

your name amuses me ... lol ... golden girls.. right>????

ken
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If the grafts take it should work fine. I have done it lots. You tend to get a grab bag of rootstock vigor...mostly high. But if you don't mind that, it can be a great way to get a more develped tree for free. Take you time when you dig them out and you can take a lot of root. most of the ones I have done I left in place. When I have done it on stuff this size, I have topworkerd over multiple branches higher up. I don't know how long a big cleft graft like that takes to heal up all the way.
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I have Paul's Himalayan Musk Climber on his way up a mulberry tree at the end of the driveway by the garage. He shows the ability to have this tree completely swallowed in a few years ... it's the look I'm after, fortunately. American Pillar is planted on the fence by the Rose Field, and I intend to encourage it to take over a cedar tree. I haven't been too successful, yet, because the canes keep getting blown out of the tree. This rose is WAY to vigorous for a crabapple tree, IMO. How about Gardenia? It blooms once, but it lives to climb trees. It will scale your tree and spill out the other side, with pale yellow-fading-to-white flowers in clusters. Beautiful. Some opinions of the others that have already been mentioned, since I'm in your area: Madame Alfred Carriere tends to grow straight up around here, then form an 'afro' on top. May be a possibility, but it doesn't 'hang' very well. Susan Louise probably won't survive here. I want this rose very, very badly ... but it's probably too tender. Mermaid? Way, way too vigorous once it gets going. Alberic Barbier, though once blooming, is a wonderful rose. The canes are very flexible, so it would hang nicely off a tree. It will go 15' in a season, easy. A possible deterrant ... the wichuriana ramblers make lots of basal canes, which would need to be trained up the tree every year. My AB made at least 12 new canes this year ... no lie. The multiflora ramblers may be a better choice, if you are considering once-blooming roses. Veilchenblau is my favorite of these. I don't grow it, yet, but it will stop traffic at Robert's house when it's in bloom in his holly tree. or Tausenschoen? For re-bloomers, maybe one of the hardier tea-noisettes ... Reve d'Or or Lamarque, perhaps? Photos? You asked. Alberic Barbier Leontine Gervais (another beautiful, stringy Wichuriana rambler) Paul Transon (wichuriana) Gardenia Veilchenblau That should be enough for this morning. As you can see, depending on the effect you're after, the choices are practically endless. Just avoid the really tender ones. HTH, Connie
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It doesn't sound good for your tree. If the sucker is coming from below the graft or from the ground it is probably the rootstock. Most rootstocks are chosen for stronger roots and good "take" when grafting scions from other varieties, but often have their own weaknesses. For example, my Sargentii crab suckers from the rootstock profusely. The suckers are highly succeptible to cedar-apple rust and look nasty (until removed) while the Sargentii top is rust free. I'd probably start again, but that is just me... hortster
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Kylie
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks, Ken! I’ve been trying to keep the leaves cleaned up (this is the second year I remember this happening... although I thought the tree was just dry from little rain). Will try a product in the spring and see what happens, fingers crossed.

And yes, love the Golden Girls. :)

From a fellow Michigander :D
Kylie
Original Author
5 years ago
Aurora, we had a local company come and treat a few maples a few years ago... nada. Definitely taking them down soon.

I would love to save my front crab apple, I get a lot of compliments on it. I also planted a Japanese Maple a few years ago. Last summer was iffy, but it’s just not started taking off and I’m so happy with it.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
tree hugging aside .... trees.. IN THE GARDEN... are and should be.. as disposable as any other garden plants ...

if you dont like them... or they are irritating the beegeebees out of you.. just get rid of them ... lifes too short ...

and as you note from experience ... you arent going to beat ma nature with money ... you may delay the inevitable.. but you wont win ... so just cut the equation short.. and get rid of the problem .... just invest in the removal.. and skip the boat payments for the tree sprayers.. lol ... actually.. they dont have time for boating.. probably snowmobile money.. the off season .. lol ..

ken
Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Many places have old disease susceptible varieties of crab apples planted on them. The benefits of these trees can be continued without the susceptibility by replacing them with modern disease resistant kinds of crab apples.
Kylie thanked Embothrium

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