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Flowering Crabapple · Malus × domestica

Why are my crabapple leaves turning yellow?

It is less common for crabapple trees to have yellow leaves, which usually points to nutrient imbalances or poor drainage. Check the soil drainage and look for signs of pests first.

yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Look for tiny insects on the undersides of leaves.
  2. Check if the leaf veins are still green.
  3. Ensure the soil is not waterlogged.

Likely causes

  1. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: You might notice yellowing leaves along with a sticky residue called honeydew on the foliage. These small insects cluster on new growth and suck the sap.

    What to do: Spray the tree with a strong stream of water to knock the aphids off. If the infestation is heavy, use an insecticidal soap once a week for 2 to 3 weeks.

  2. Iron Chlorosis

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green. This is caused by high soil pH preventing the tree from absorbing iron.

    What to do: Test your soil pH to see if it is too alkaline. If confirmed, apply a chelated iron supplement to the soil according to the package instructions.

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

A few yellow leaves in late summer are normal as the tree ages. Worry if the entire canopy turns yellow or if the leaves are dropping rapidly.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain healthy soil with organic mulch and monitor for pests early in the season.

Keep your flowering crabapple healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Can I use a general pesticide for yellow leaves?
Only use pesticides if you have confirmed the presence of insects like aphids. Otherwise, you might harm beneficial pollinators.
Does yellowing mean I am overwatering?
It is possible if the soil stays soggy. Ensure the ground drains well and wait for the top few inches to dry before watering again.

More problems with Flowering Crabapple

Back to the Flowering Crabapple guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.