Tree of the Month

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Tree of the Month

Crabapple, malus

by: Lesley Bruce Smith, ISA Certified Arborist

Photos by Lesley Bruce Smith

Crab trees are to the Chicago area what Southern Magnolias are to the State of Georgia, one of our most ubiquitous flowering trees. The amazing show of spring color that the Crab trees in the midwest display are among our most treasured garden treats. The Crabapple trees and all species of the rose family, of which they are a part, are the most cultivated tree species in the horticulturist’s palette. We have over 500 different varieties of Crab trees and that doesn’t even include all the Malus species that include the eating apples we have cultivated. But who can blame us, for the riotous spring explosion after our long hard winters and the long history of their use as food.

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Fungal Diseases Abound on Trees - Spring/Summer 2013

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July 2, 2013 • Plant Health Care ALERT!

The extended cool temperatures (ranging from 50°F to 60°F) and wet and rainy conditions that are and have been prevalent throughout our spring season are going to create abundant fungal disease symptoms this summer.

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By clicking on the names of the diseases below you can get to our abstracts that explain these diseases in detail.

• Anthracnose, seen predominantly on both Ashes and Oaks

Oak Anthracnose by Lesley Bruce Smith

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 • Apple Scab on Crabapples and Apple trees

• Cedar Hawthorne Rust on Hawthornes and Cedar (Juniper)

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Even those who have had preventative treatments will most likely see symptoms in lesser degrees. This will be most evident with the Crabs and Hawthorns and it may be alarming to see leaves yellowing and falling early but what we focus on are the leaves still on the tree. We are trying to prevent damaging loss of leaves with these fungal diseases and because of the mild weather the trees have put out a huge crop of leaves and so even though they are losing some they have plenty to remain healthy. The record setting rains have made elimination of these fungal diseases impossible this year.

As always, if you have any additional questions on these

please do not hesitate to contact us,

Yours for healthy trees,

Gilbert, Lesley and the Arborsmith Staff

Other information on fungal diseases:

• Diplodia Tip Blight on Pines

• Dothistroma on Pines and Rhizosphaera Needle Cast on Spruces