Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of the leaves for fuzzy growth.
- Check if the spots are spreading to the fruit.
- Look for fallen leaves around the base of the tree.
Likely causes
Apple Scab
Most likelyHow to tell: Dark, velvety spots appear on leaves, which eventually turn yellow and drop off. You might also see scabby lesions on the fruit.
What to do: Rake up and dispose of all fallen leaves immediately to remove fungal spores. Apply a copper fungicide in early spring before buds break to protect new growth.
Cedar Apple Rust
PossibleHow to tell: Bright orange or yellow spots appear on the upper leaf surface. Look for small, tube like structures on the underside of the leaves.
What to do: Remove nearby cedar trees if possible, as they host the fungus. Use a fungicide labeled for rust during the spring when orange spores are active.
Find out what's wrong with your flowering crabapple
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
It is serious if the tree loses most of its leaves by mid summer, as this weakens the plant for next year. A few spots are normal in wet, humid springs.
Stopping it coming back
Prune the canopy to improve air circulation and keep the area under the tree clear of debris.
Flowering Crabapple: spots? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your flowering crabapple and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Will apple scab kill my tree?
- It rarely kills a mature tree, but it can cause significant stress and leaf loss. Consistent cleanup helps keep the tree healthy.
- Can I eat the fruit if it has spots?
- The fruit is safe to eat, though it might look unappealing. Most people grow crabapples for the flowers and birds anyway.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Flowering Crabapple
Back to the Flowering Crabapple guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.