If you planted an apple tree last year or if an older fruit tree barely produces any leaves, this could have various causes. We explain what is to blame for the lack of foliage and how you can help the tree so that it grows new foliage.
Why does the apple tree have no leaves?
In this case,pests have often spread in the root area. Amistake may have been made when planting a young apple tree that was only planted last fall and is not budding. Drought can also lead to leaf loss.
Can voles be to blame for the leafless apple tree?
Since the uninvited guests destroy theroots of the fruit tree,voles can certainly be the reason why the apple tree no longer has any leaves.
- Drill holes in the ground on the tree disc using a thin rod.
- If you come across a lot of cavities, they could be vole exits.
- So that other plants are not damaged, drive the animals away with ultrasonic traps (€27.00 on Amazon). Fermented buttermilk poured down the aisles also causes the rodents to move.
Can beetles be the cause of the missing leaves?
The larvae of the black weevil feed mainly on the fine roots of the apple tree. This can be weakened so much that leaves almost completely stop sprouting.
- You can get on the trail of adult beetles by offering laid boards as a daytime hiding place. You can collect the pests from these and destroy them.
- Nematodes, which you can purchase from specialist retailers, help against the larvae of the black weevil in the root area.
Does an ingrown glue ring prevent the tree from sprouting?
This is rarely the case, but itcan certainly be possible that a forgotten ring of glue is strangling the flow of sapof the apple tree. There the nutrients are no longer transported, it hardly sets any buds and produces neither leaves nor flowers.
Carefully remove the glue ring from the trunk. If you fertilize the tree properly, it will usually recover and sprout after a few weeks.
Why does a newly planted apple tree not grow any leaves?
If a freshly planted apple tree remains bare, the cause is oftenexcessive soil compactionorsubstrate that is too heavy. The tree, planted leafless in the fall, was unable to form roots. In the worst case, the suction roots are even stunted.
But it is also possible that the soil was not sufficiently compacted when the apple tree was planted. This leaves cavities in the root area and the apple tree does not grow properly.
What can I do if the apple hasn't grown?
You must subsequently ensurebetter aeration of the soilor close thegaps around the roots:
- If the soil is heavy, dig up the tree again and check the roots. When replanting, add a drainage layer of gravel to the planting hole and improve the substrate with sand and compost.
- Any existing cavities can be compacted by properly mudding the tree.
Can drought cause the apple tree to be leafless?
Theleavesof the apple treeturn yellow in the summerand the fruits andleaves are shed, it could bedrought damage. Since heat also promotes diseases such as bark burn, you should water the trees sufficiently during longer dry periods.
Tip
The apple tree is dead
If you have found and eliminated the cause of the leaf loss and the apple tree still does not sprout for a whole year, unfortunately the only option is to fell the fruit tree. If you would like to grow a new tree in the same place, it is advisable to generously replace the soil to be on the safe side.