If you love the look of your front yard apple tree in the spring when its fragrant blossoms make it look beautiful, brown leaves might get in the way.
You might be wondering what to do about the leaves that are turning a scary shade of brown on the abundant supply of sweet, juicy apples that you pick every season.
Well, first you should try to figure out what’s wrong or diagnose the disease. Apple tree leaves can turn brown for a number of reasons, such as:
I outline the factors that will allow you to identify the cause and treat it below.
Seeing the leaves on your apple tree turning brown can be worrying Brown leaves are not only unsightly, but can indicate underlying issues impacting your tree’s health In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common reasons for apple tree leaf browning and provide actionable solutions to restore your tree’s vigor.
Why Are My Apple Tree Leaves Turning Brown?
There are several potential causes of browning leaves on apple trees:
Insufficient Water
Lack of water is one of the most common reasons for leaf browning. Apple trees need about 1-2 inches of water per week either from rain or irrigation. Insufficient water leads to drying and browning of the leaves.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of key nutrients like nitrogen phosphorus, potassium iron, and magnesium can cause leaves to yellow or brown. Potassium deficiency in particular is a frequent cause of leaf browning in apple trees later in the growing season as fruit formation draws heavily on this nutrient.
Diseases
Fungal diseases like apple scab, powdery mildew, and rust can lead to lesions, spots, or other discoloration of leaves. Bacteria like fire blight can also cause browning of leaves and branches.
Pests
Common apple tree pests like spider mites, aphids, leafrollers, and leafminers can all feed on and damage foliage leading to browning.
Environmental Stress
Extreme cold, heat, wind, or sunlight exposure can scorch, dry out, or otherwise damage apple tree leaves.
Root Damage
Root rot fungi and conditions like girdling that impair roots lead to poor nutrient and water uptake, causing browning.
Improper Care
Overpruning, poor pruning technique, lack of pest/disease management, and insufficient mulching or fertilization can stress trees and cause leaf problems.
Solutions for Brown Leaves on Apple Trees
If your apple tree has brown leaves, take action to identify and address the cause:
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Check soil moisture and adjust watering to maintain consistent soil moisture 1-2 inches per week.
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Test soil and apply balanced fertilizer or amendments to correct any nutrient deficiencies. Prioritize potassium.
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Monitor for signs of pests and diseases. Prune out affected branches and apply appropriate organic treatments.
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Provide shade/shelter to protect from excess sun/wind. Mulch around tree to moderate soil temperature.
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Examine roots and trunk for damage or girdling, address appropriately.
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Improve drainage if soil is overly wet. Promote air circulation.
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Only prune properly during dormancy using proper technique to avoid overpruning.
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Remove fallen leaves/debris to eliminate disease inoculum. Space trees appropriately.
When to Worry About Brown Leaves on Apple Trees
Notice a few brown leaves here and there? Not an immediate cause for concern. But if you see:
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Browning concentrated only on one side of tree
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Rapid leaf browning over a short period
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Browning only on newest growth
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Tree failure to leaf out properly in spring
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Browning accompanied by impaired vigor, dieback, or dead branches
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Browning leaves dropping prematurely
These signs can indicate a more serious underlying disease, pest infestation, or environmental stress requiring quick action. Don’t hesitate to consult an arborist.
Maintaining Healthy Apple Tree Foliage
Proper care and prompt treatment of issues will help prevent and resolve apple tree leaf browning:
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Water thoroughly in dry periods, 1-2 inches per week minimum
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Apply an organic mulch layer to retain moisture
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Fertilize according to soil test results to maintain nutrient levels
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Prune judiciously for shape/air movement, avoid overpruning
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Monitor weekly for pests/diseases and treat early
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Ensure proper soil drainage
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Protect from extreme weather conditions
Keeping your apple tree healthy will reward you with an attractive, productive tree and bountiful, beautiful fruit for years to come. A few brown leaves here and there are no cause for alarm, but be attentive and take action if leaf browning becomes more extensive.
Apple Scab
Only certain types of apple trees can get apple scab. These types include three of the most popular types: “McIntosh,” “Red Delicious,” and “Cortland.”
Best practice suggests taking steps to avoid problems, like getting rid of shredded leaves right away and cutting off diseased branches.
Alhough fungicides to control this disease are available, they are prohibited for use on fruiting trees.
You can use a fungicide to treat a sick apple tree as long as you make sure it won’t hurt the tree and then throw away and destroy the whole crop of apples that season.
You can identify apple scab from these symptoms:
- Almost all of the leaves on a certain stem or branch have turned brown.
- The leaves look like they’ve been scorched.
- The flowers on the tree have wilted and withered.
- Younger shoots have developed a hook or crook.
- Some ooze or sores show up on the tree’s bark.
This bacterial disease is a serious one as, unfortunately, it has no cure.
To diagnose fireblight, check for the following:
- The brown leaves are scattered throughout the tree.
- The browning does not follow any pattern.
- You have used chemicals on your tree recently.
- The weather has been very sunny and hot, and your tree has been out in it.
If you catch the problem early enough, the best thing you can do is cut back and trim all the branches and other parts of the tree that are sick.
This is a pretty complicated job that you should either do a lot of research on before you try it or hire a tree doctor to do it for you.
Sadly, in extreme or advanced cases, the diseased tree must be entirely destroyed.
Waterlogging & Root Rot
Overwatering and waterlogging rarely hurt an established tree in open ground, but root rot can kill a sapling or young tree, especially if it is planted in heavy, dense soil and it rains for a long time or gets too much water.
It’s only possible to save the tree by digging it up, cutting off the rotten parts of the roots, and moving it to soil that doesn’t hold water.
The common signs that waterlogging is the issue includes:
- The leaves curling up.
- The tips and edges of the leaves are turning brown first.
If your apple tree has the following symptoms, then it might not be receiving enough water:
- The leaves are covered in random greeny-brown spots.
- These patches are randomly positioned over the leaves.
- They occur on both sides of the leaf’s surface.
- The branches from the tree are cracked and blistered.
This is the easiest problem on this list to fix, but you should check your watering schedule to make sure you’re on the right track.
You could also examine the soil down to several centimetres for moisture.
Give the tree a thorough soaking and then re-commence regular watering.
Water in the morning with cool water for the best results.
Do You have Apples and Pears with Brown Leaves?
FAQ
How to treat brown spots on apple tree leaves?