Stress is not only bad for humans. It can have a negative impact on your trees as well.
- Marilyn in Normal is concerned about her flowering crab tree, which began showing what she believed to be signs of stress when the leaves started turning brown and red.
- The heat of summer and lack of rain can trigger a stress reaction in plants. Heat stress is very common. A tree planted in the wrong place (too much sun, or poor soil) can cause stress. Right tree in the right place is the Grow mantra.
- The crab apple can also develop apple scab, powdery mildew, fungal leaf spot, cedar apple rust and fire blight. This is more common in older varieties. Newer crab apple varieties are more resistant to diseases that might march in when a plant is stressed by bad conditions.
- If the leaves fall to the ground collect then to remove any possibility of disease spreading.
- Deep, infrequent watering can help strengthen a plant's root system.
- Using Neem or rosemary oil to kill insects that are a threat to the tree.
GLT's Grow is your source for sage gardening advice and down-to-earth tips. Host Patrick Murphy and co-host Laura Kennedy are ready to take on all your gardening questions, so submit yours today.
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