Leaf Issues

Yellowing Leaves

Symptoms: Leaves turn yellow starting from the bottom, may progress upward, often accompanied by reduced vigor and poor fruit development Common Causes:

• Nitrogen deficiency due to poor soil nutrition or competition from grass/weeds
• Iron chlorosis in alkaline soils (pH above 7.5)
• Overwatering leading to poor root oxygen levels

Solutions:

• Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring at 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter
• For iron chlorosis, apply chelated iron or sulfur to lower soil pH
• Improve drainage by adding organic matter or installing drainage tiles

Prevention: Maintain soil pH between 6.0-7.0, fertilize annually in spring, and ensure proper mulching to reduce weed competition

Brown/Crispy Leaves

Symptoms: Leaf edges turn brown and crispy, leaves may curl, particularly affecting sun-exposed foliage Common Causes:

• Salt burn from over-fertilization or poor water quality
• Drought stress during critical growth periods
• Fire blight bacterial infection (leaves appear burned)

Solutions:

• Flush soil with deep watering to remove excess salts
• Establish regular deep watering schedule, especially during fruit development
• Prune out fire blight infected branches 12 inches below visible damage

Prevention: Test irrigation water for salt content, apply fertilizers at recommended rates, and maintain consistent moisture levels

Drooping/Wilting

Symptoms: Leaves and new shoots droop despite adequate soil moisture, may recover overnight in early stages Common Causes:

• Root damage from voles, borers, or cultivation
• Verticillium wilt fungal disease
• Heat stress during extreme temperatures

Solutions:

• Inspect trunk base for borer holes or rodent damage, treat accordingly
• Remove affected branches if verticillium wilt is suspected
• Provide afternoon shade during heat waves with shade cloth

Prevention: Install trunk guards, maintain proper mulch levels (not touching trunk), and select disease-resistant rootstocks

Leaf Drop

Symptoms: Premature leaf drop before autumn, may affect fruit development and winter hardiness Common Causes:

• Apple scab fungal disease
• Severe spider mite infestation
• Environmental stress from drought or temperature fluctuations

Solutions:

• Apply fungicide spray program for scab control starting at bud break
• Use miticide or horticultural oil for severe mite infestations
• Provide supplemental water during dry periods

Prevention: Choose scab-resistant varieties, maintain good air circulation through pruning, and monitor for pest populations

Growth Issues

Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Minimal annual shoot growth (less than 12 inches), small leaves, poor fruit production Common Causes:

• Poor pollination due to lack of compatible varieties
• Nutrient deficiencies, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus
• Root competition from grass or other plants

Solutions:

• Plant compatible pollinator variety within 50 feet
• Apply complete fertilizer based on soil test results
• Maintain 3-4 foot weed-free zone around trunk

Prevention: Plant at least two compatible apple varieties, conduct annual soil tests, and maintain proper mulch rings

Leggy/Stretching Growth

Symptoms: Excessive vertical growth with few side branches, poor fruit bud formation Common Causes:

• Over-fertilization with nitrogen
• Improper pruning encouraging water sprout growth
• Insufficient light reaching interior branches

Solutions:

• Reduce nitrogen fertilization and focus on phosphorus/potassium
• Prune using thinning cuts rather than heading cuts
• Open center through selective pruning for better light penetration

Prevention: Follow proper pruning techniques, avoid late-season fertilization, and maintain open canopy structure

Pest Problems

Codling Moth

Identification: Small grayish-brown moths, larvae are pinkish-white with brown heads Damage Signs: "Wormy" apples with entry holes, frass at core, premature fruit drop Treatment:

• Apply targeted insecticide at petal fall and 10-14 days later
• Use pheromone traps to time spray applications
• Bag individual fruits with paper bags after thinning Prevention: Remove dropped fruit promptly, scrape loose bark in winter to remove overwintering sites

Apple Maggot

Identification: Small flies with distinctive wing pattern, white legless larvae in fruit Damage Signs: Dimpled fruit surface, brown tunnels through flesh, early fruit drop Treatment:

• Hang red sphere traps coated with sticky material
• Apply insecticide sprays when flies first appear (late June-July)
• Remove and destroy all dropped and infected fruit Prevention: Clean up fallen fruit immediately, maintain good sanitation, use resistant varieties

Aphids

Identification: Small green, black, or rosy colored soft-bodied insects on new growth Damage Signs: Curled leaves, sticky honeydew, sooty mold, stunted shoot growth Treatment:

• Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil
• Release ladybugs or lacewings for biological control
• Use systemic insecticide for severe infestations Prevention: Encourage beneficial insects, avoid over-fertilization, monitor early season growth

Disease Issues

Apple Scab

Symptoms: Dark, velvety spots on leaves and fruit, premature defoliation, cracked fruit Causes: Fungal disease favored by cool, wet spring weather Treatment:

• Apply fungicide sprays starting at green tip through petal fall
• Remove and destroy infected leaves and fruit
• Prune to improve air circulation Prevention: Plant resistant varieties like 'Liberty' or 'Freedom', maintain clean orchard floor

Fire Blight

Symptoms: Branches appear burned, shepherd's crook shoot tips, bacterial ooze Causes: Bacterial disease spread by insects and rain during bloom Treatment:

• Prune infected branches 12-18 inches below visible damage
• Disinfect pruning tools between cuts with 10% bleach
• Apply copper sprays during dormant season Prevention: Avoid excessive nitrogen, remove suckers promptly, choose resistant rootstocks

Root Problems

Root Rot

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, lack of vigor, eventual tree decline, soft or missing roots Identification: Roots appear brown or black when exposed, may have foul odor Treatment:

• Improve drainage immediately with French drains or raised beds
• Remove soil from root collar to expose and dry
• Apply appropriate fungicide drench if Phytophthora is identified Prevention: Plant in well-drained soil, avoid overwatering, maintain proper planting depth

Root Bound

Symptoms: Reduced growth, smaller fruit, visible roots circling at soil surface Identification: Roots growing in circles when container-grown, girdling roots at trunk base Treatment:

• Carefully prune circling roots during dormant season
• Root prune established trees 2-3 feet from trunk
• Add organic matter to improve soil structure beyond root zone Prevention: Properly prepare planting hole 3x root ball width, score root ball sides when planting

Environmental Stress

Temperature Shock

Symptoms: Frost damage to blossoms, sunscald on trunk, winter injury to wood Causes: Late spring frosts, extreme winter cold, rapid temperature fluctuations Treatment: Protect with frost blankets during bloom, paint trunks white to prevent sunscald Prevention: Choose appropriate varieties for your zone, avoid low-lying frost pockets

Humidity Issues

Low Humidity Symptoms: Increased spider mite problems, poor fruit set, leaf scorch High Humidity Symptoms: Increased disease pressure, particularly scab and mildew Solutions: Use drip irrigation to avoid wetting foliage, improve air circulation through pruning Prevention: Site trees with good air drainage, maintain proper spacing between trees

Light Stress

Too Much Light: Sunburned fruit on south/west sides, bleached foliage Too Little Light: Poor fruit color, reduced sugar content, weak growth Solutions: Thin fruit to prevent sun exposure, prune to optimize light penetration Prevention: Choose appropriate planting site, train trees to optimal form for light distribution

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Emergency Symptoms

When to Seek Help

• Tree shows decline despite treatment efforts
• Unknown pest or disease symptoms appear
• Structural damage threatens tree stability

Prevention Checklist

• [ ] Annual dormant season pruning for structure and air flow
• [ ] Spring fertilization based on soil test results
• [ ] Preventive fungicide program starting at bud break
• [ ] Weekly pest monitoring during growing season
• [ ] Proper irrigation schedule adjusted for rainfall
• [ ] Fall cleanup of dropped fruit and leaves

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Remove source of stress, provide optimal water and nutrients Week 2-3: New growth should begin if damage isn't severe, continue monitoring Month 1+: Evaluate recovery progress, may need to wait until next season for full recovery

Remember: Most Apple 'Apistar' problems are preventable with proper care. When in doubt, adjust watering first, then light conditions.