APPLE SCAB AND OUR CRAB APPLE TREES
Many Palos Park residents are concerned about their crab apple trees when their leaves become distorted, dry out and drop prematurely. This condition is caused by a fungus called apple scab. It affects members of the rose family...crab apple, hawthorne, mountain ash, cotoneaster, firethorne, and common pear. Because of the beauty of these trees, they have been heavily planted in Palos Park.

Apple scab fungus overwinters o fallen leaves and infected twigs. Collecting and removing or composting leaves and twigs will reduce the source of this infection. This should be done before the spring budding time.

Fungicide control programs for scab can be used, along with sanitation. Local tree care companies spray bayleton, zineb, or feram at bud swell (approximately April 1). Additional sprays may be necessary at 1 to 3 week intervals, depending on the degree of infection and the weather (moist weather increases the infection).

The best way to prevent apple scab is to plant resistant crabapples. The Morton Arboretum recommends the Donald Wyman, white angel, and Adirondack species. For more information, call the Plant Clinic (630-719-2424) between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Your nursery man many also stock scab-resistant crabapples.

If you question any information or prices provided by a tree service, it is wise to call the Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic or the Village Public Works Department (448-2700 ext 136) for a second opinion.