Apple & Pear Scab: Spotting and Stopping This Common Fruit Foe

If your apple or pear trees are looking a little worse for wear, leaves speckled with dark, velvety spots and fruit developing rough, cracked patches, you’re likely dealing with a classic garden nuisance: apple and pear scab.

This fungal disease may not sound glamorous, but it’s one of the most common problems faced by home fruit growers. The good news? With a bit of pruning, tidying, and patience, you can easily keep it under control, no harsh chemicals required.

What Is Apple & Pear Scab?

Apple and pear scab is caused by fungi that thrive in cool, damp weather, something we get plenty of in the UK! The fungi (Venturia inaequalis on apples and Venturia pirina on pears) overwinter in fallen leaves and infected fruit, releasing spores in spring that spread to new growth.

Left unchecked, scab weakens trees over time, reducing fruit quality and yield. But even though the fruit may look rough or spotty, it’s still perfectly safe to eat, just a little less photogenic!

Symptoms and Key Identifiers

Apple and pear scab can show up on both leaves and fruit, often appearing just after blossom time when the weather is damp.

Here’s what to look for:

• Olive-green to black spots on leaves and fruit
  
• Spots may become velvety or cracked as the disease spreads
  
• Premature leaf drop in severe cases, weakening the tree
  
• Fruits may crack or distort, especially on young or developing apples and pears

The key identifiers are unmistakable: velvety dark spots on leaves or fruit and early leaf fall.

If you see these signs, don’t panic, scab is extremely common, and most trees recover with a bit of care.

Natural Ways to Manage Apple & Pear Scab

Chemical sprays aren’t the only option, you can manage scab naturally with a few simple, sustainable techniques.

Prune to Improve Airflow

Scab thrives in stagnant, damp air, so the first step is to prune your tree for better airflow.

Remove any overcrowded branches and suckers, and aim for a light, open structure where sunlight can reach through. Better airflow means faster leaf drying, which makes it harder for fungal spores to take hold.

Clear Fallen Debris

The scab fungus spends winter lurking in fallen leaves and mummified fruit, ready to release spores next spring. To break the cycle, rake up and remove all fallen leaves and debris in autumn.Don’t compost infected material, either burn it or dispose of it in your green waste bin to prevent recontamination. A clean orchard floor goes a long way in keeping your trees disease-free.

Apply Sulphur-Based Sprays (If Needed)

If your scab problem is particularly stubborn, you can use a sulphur-based spray, one of the few organic treatments that’s gentle on the environment but effective against fungal spores.

Apply just as buds begin to swell in early spring, and repeat after flowering if the weather stays wet. Always follow the product instructions carefully and avoid spraying when bees are active.

Preventing Future Scab Outbreaks

A few small tweaks to your fruit-growing routine can make a big difference in keeping scab at bay.

• Choose resistant varieties when planting new trees (many modern apples and pears have built-in resistance).
  
• Mulch and feed in spring to boost plant health and resilience.
  
• Avoid overhead watering, which keeps leaves wetter for longer.
  
• Keep pruning yearly to maintain airflow and reduce disease pressure.

Healthy, well-cared-for trees bounce back quickly and are far less likely to suffer repeated infections.

Can You Eat Scabby Fruit?

Absolutely! While apple and pear scab may make your fruit look a little rustic, it doesn’t affect the taste or safety. Simply peel away the affected skin and enjoy the delicious flesh inside. In fact, some growers say slightly blemished fruit often has more flavour, proof that beauty really is skin deep.

Apple and pear scab may look alarming, but it’s more of a cosmetic issue than a catastrophe. Look out for olive-green or black velvety spots on your leaves and fruit, and act quickly by pruning for airflow, clearing debris, and applying sulphur-based sprays if needed.

A little maintenance now will keep your trees strong, your fruit harvest healthy, and your garden ecosystem thriving, because nothing beats biting into a homegrown apple straight from the tree.