Normally, the apple tree develops its attractive, deep green foliage shortly after flowering. Occasionally, however, the trees have hardly any leaves and the crown appears very light. In this article we will show you why this could be.
Why does my apple tree have so few leaves?
Root rotas well as aincorrect supply of nutrientsare sometimes the cause of the apple tree having sparse foliage. Adisease or pest infestation could be present if the fruit tree initially grows thick green, which changes color and falls off in the summer.
Why does the apple tree get few leaves when there is root rot?
If thestorage organscan no longer fulfill theirtask, the apple tree is only inadequately supplied with nutrients. As a result, the tree hardly sets any buds and produces fewer leaves.
The cause of root rot is almost always compacted, over-watered soil that is poorly ventilated. It is therefore advisable to improve these soils before planting by incorporating sand and compost.
Why does nutrient deficiency lead to weak leaf growth?
If there is a lack of nutrients or too high a concentration of certain trace elements in the soil, the apple tree canno longer be properly supplied and cared for. This can be counteracted through targeted fertilization, ideally preceded by a soil analysis.
Basic fertilization is then carried out in March or April with an organic long-term fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) in low doses. If necessary, you can fertilize a second time at the end of June, when fruit is forming.
Few leaves due to fungi or pests – can that be?
In spring the apple tree forms manyleaves,which later showspots, change coloranddropped, it is often one of the followingFungal diseases:
- Leaf spots (Marssonina coronaria),
- Purple disease (Taphrina deformans)
- Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis).
But pests such as the fruit tree spider mite, frost moth or the spider moth can also be responsible for the apple tree dropping some of its leaves.
Tip
Premature leaf drop due to drought
When drought and heat persist, apple trees sometimes shed their leaves and fruit in the summer. In these phases, the tree concentrates on root growth and tries to use its storage organs to penetrate into deeper soil regions. In extreme cases, this results in almost complete leaf drop. You can prevent this by watering the apple tree regularly and thoroughly if drought persists.
