APPLE SCAB CONTROL

Apple scab is a frequent problem for any Lapeer, MI landscapes with crabapple trees. The apple scab fungus may be found growing on the crabapple fruit itself, the leaf, leaf and fruit stems, or the green twigs of the crabapple. I’m surprised at how many Lapeer homeowners I speak with that are unaware that apple scab is a tree disease that can be controlled with the right treatments.

Apple scab is easy to diagnose, especially if it is on the leaves or the fruit of your crabapple tree. Anyone with a computer can find numerous photos of apple scab infected leaves and confirm that their crabapple tree has apple scab.

As a resident of Lapeer I see numerous examples of crabapple trees infected with apple scab fungus. Apple scab is caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis, which also can affect apple, hawthorn, mountain ash, and firethorn. Because apple scab is a fungal disease, fungicides are used to control it. Apple scab can be hard to prevent if fungicide treatments are not started at the right time. To control primary infections you want to start the fungicide program shortly after the crabapples start to leaf out, which is usually around mid-April in Lapeer. I’ve found that the best control of apple scab is obtained when at least three fungicide treatments are applies throughout the spring.

Apple scab spores are always present in our environment, so it would be necessary to have these fungicide treatments applied every spring. If you need more information on apple scab call us at 800-724-6680 or you can find out more information about apple scab at: http://www.owentree.com/apple_scab.html