Hail Damage on Apple Trees

Hail damage affects the health of apple trees.

Apple trees damaged by hail need the attention of a gardener to heal properly. Serious hail damage has the potential to stop an apple tree from fruiting if left untreated.

Pruning

Check the apple tree for any branches broken or killed by the hail. Prune the branches to remove any rotting wood, which lessens the likelihood of the tree contracting illnesses. It also helps promote healthy new growth.

Fertilizer

Adding fertilizer to the soil helps keep the tree healthy and provides it with the nutrients it needs to heal. Apple trees need soil that is rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to stay healthy or heal from hail damage.

Spray

According to Colorado State University, applying a copper spray or a spray of streptomycin within four to 18 hours after hail damage helps protect the apple tree from fire blight. Fire blight is a disease that often results in the death of the tree.

References

• Colorado State University Extension; Backyard Orchard: Apples and Pears; C.E. Swift, et al; May 12, 2010
• Washington State University; Mechanical and Field Injury; 2011

Resources

• North Dakota State University; Questions on Apple Environmental Damage; Ron Smith