When you see foliage that seems to be rolling up, a few different issues could be the cause.
For most of them, it’s possible for you to set things right again with these tips.
But apple tree leaves curling and changing foliage color before fall means you’ve got trouble on your hands.
Credit: John Granen
Lovely as they are,apple treesare not a plant-it-and-forget-it addition to your garden.
That’s because many insect pests love them, and these plants are prone to getting several diseases.
Here’s what to watch out for and how to deal with it.
Your apple tree has three kinds of enemies: Fungal diseases, bugs, and bacteria.
One of these is the culprit if you see apple tree leaves curling.
Youmight even see small insects.
The good news is that a little routine maintenance can keep them at bay.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildewlooks like it sounds: White powder on the leaves of your apple tree.
If the powdery mildew returns, spray with a copper fungicide.
Test Garden Tip:To prevent powdery mildew, prune branches to keep good air circulation going.
The leaves can twist; eventually, appleleaves will yellow and fall off.
Aphids
Aphids are tiny green orwhite insectsyou’ll notice on the undersides of the leaves.
They create a sticky “honeydew,” which can encourage a dark covering of sooty mold.
They don’t just roll the leaves, they munch on them too.
Peer inside the rolls and you may see these green or yellow worms hiding in their shelters.
First, prune out any withered branches in your tree.
Spray promptly to stop the bacteria before they infect more of your tree.
Planting a disease-resistant apple tree means less messing around with sprays in the years ahead.
