How to revive Apple tree with browned and curled leaves?

[kendall]

We have this apple tree in a house we are renting. It looks very sick to me and I would love to help it get better but I’m not sure what is wrong with it. The leaves on one half of the tree have all turned brown and curled. The other half still has green leaves but they have brown spots on them. The trunk also has cracks in it. This past spring was a lot wetter than usual here and now it’s been pretty dry and hot over summer. Tree is located in Wānaka.

 

 

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @kendall. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Apple tree care.

Your apple tree appears to be under significant stress, likely due to a combination of environmental factors and possible disease. The past wet spring followed by a dry, hot summer may have caused water stress, which can lead to leaf browning, curling, and overall decline. If one side of the tree is more exposed to sun and wind, it may have suffered more severe dehydration. The brown spots on the remaining green leaves could indicate a fungal issue such as apple scab or a bacterial infection like fire blight, both of which thrive in damp conditions. The cracks in the trunk suggest the tree has struggled to cope with these extremes, and there could also be pest damage, such as borers weakening the bark. As autumn approaches, the tree will naturally begin to shed its leaves, but supporting its recovery now may help it regain strength for next spring. Deep watering before winter, applying a layer of mulch to regulate soil moisture, and pruning any dead or diseased branches could help improve its health. If fungal disease is a concern, applying a copper-based fungicide after leaf fall may also be beneficial.

Let me tag one of the community's horticulturalists, @mashthyme, to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Jason]

Hi @kendall,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. 

Just thought I'd add to Mitch's reply that the Bunnings team has a comprehensive guide that should also assist you: How to grow and prune an apple tree.

Hope that helps.

Jason

[mashthyme]

Hi @MitchellMc and @kendall 

Thanks for adding me to the conversation. I'd agree with you Mitchel that it looks like fire blight, which needs to be cut out. So, a heavy pruning might be the best remedy to revive this apple tree, and it's coming up to a good time of year to prune: while the sap is still flowing but not while it's actively in growth mode so that it can heal itself before it goes to sleep in winter. So, I'd prune in about 2 weeks time, before autumn slows its sap too much or it may be earlier for you in Wãnaka compared with me in Djilang. You just don't want it to send out new growth that will be damaged by frosts.

Fire blight a bacterial disease so burn the pruning to reduce its spread, and cut out as much of the cankers (die-back) as possible from the tree while sterilising your cutting equipment between each cut. Don't be afraid of cutting too much off the tree: it'll do it good. Feed it in spring with RoosterBooster, or something similar, at the recommended rate of application. And good luck, hopefully you enjoy a nice harvest next session

[MitchellMc]

Thanks for your expert advice, @mashthyme. I trust @kendall will appreciate it.

Mitchell