Gardener's Group discussion

Use this thread to discuss what trees & shrubs you're growing and how this year.

I purchased a Crab Apple tree (very small "tree") with what I believe are rust spots on it. I have looked online and it says that it the spots are from living in a very wet environment. The nursery however told me not to worry that the tree would outgrow it? What do you think?

I'm not familiar with that kind of tree, but in general, if the conditions causing the rust spots doesn't go away, neither will the rust spots! I would think it would get progressively worse vs better over time too if the cause isn't taken away. Was this a 'big box' store garden center/nursery or an independent/local business nursery?

It was a very reputable local business - I guess it is okay to say the name - Woodlanders in Aiken, SC.

As I mentioned above, in general, if the conditions causing the rust spots doesn't go away, neither will the rust spots so I guess it would be best to research what causes rust spots for crab apple trees & the best solution for it. I'm still surprised by the 'no worries it will outgrow it' advice. I'm asking someone I know on twitter who knows a lot more than I do about trees and will reply here with what he says once he replies to my tweet!

Thank you!

Here's my chat from yesterday:

@BloominChick 18h
@CoronaTools Some1 in my goodreads gardening group was told their crab apple would outgrow rust spots. Any truth to that? #treechat

@CoronaTools 17h
@BloominChick hmm...not sure. @StarkBrosCares is my go for fruit tree questions. My guess, is no...also there is potential of spreading

@BloominChick 17h
@CoronaTools That's my guess as well! TY I'll tweet them too.

@BloominChick 17h
@StarkBrosCares Some1 in my goodreads gardening grp was told her crab apple tree would grow out of rust spots. Any truth to that? #treechat

@Hugh_Cassidy 16h
@BloominChick @StarkBrosCares Here's some good information on plant rust
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?...

@BloominChick 16h
@Hugh_Cassidy Great, TY! Will pass along :-) @StarkBrosCares

@StarkBrosCares 52m
@BloominChick Late response (sorry!), but it probably won't grow out of rust. It's often a host thing (apple & cedar) not an age thing.

@StarkBrosCares 49m
@BloominChick Advice might've been that leaves will drop eventually. If source of fungus is removed (ex. cedars), disease cycle stops.

@StarkBrosCares 49m
@BloominChick Depending on severity, most rust diseases aren't too harmful. My golden delicious apple gets CAR every year. Still fruits! :)

@BloominChick 7s
@StarkBrosCares TY so much for the info!!! Will pass along. Have an awesome day!

Jo wrote: "I'm not familiar with that kind of tree, but in general, if the conditions causing the rust spots doesn't go away, neither will the rust spots! I would think it would get progressively worse vs bet..."

Very Few Crabapples do well here in the Northwest. Rust is a common problem with our rainy climate. As a former nursery owner we did not suggest them to our customers.
I would say go to an independant nursery find someone who know their trees and see if some new variety is on the market that resists rust.

Thanks, she did go to an independent nursery as per above in South Carolina but didn't get completely sound advice it seems, however, but I think my twitter friends have been a great help for her :-)

Wow so many opinions and most of them not in my favor. Thank you for all your help!

YW! That article I linked to is pretty good, hope it helps :-)