Apple scab is a very serious fungal disease that affects apple and crabapple trees in southern Illinois.

A regimented spray program can be effective but if left unchecked this disease is nearly impossible to control.

Apple scab lesions will affect leaves and fruit. Leaf yellowing is followed by defoliation. Most homeowners do not like to follow a good spray schedule. Consider planting scab resistant or immune apple varieties in your landscape. If you want to save yourself some work then before you plant anything make sure it has some disease resistance.

Here are some new apple varieties that are scab immune or resistant.

"Pristine®" this apple is resistant to scab and fruit blight. It is a very early apple that will mature in July. This apple is a smooth golden-skinned.

"Liberty" has an attractive red skin and is praised by many for its sweet-tart flavor.

"Enterprise" is scab immune and resistant to fire blight. This bright red apple is large if thinned.

There are also some crabapples that are resistant to scab and fire blight. Here is a couple for your consideration.

"Gibbs Golden Gage" has a pink bloom with yellow fruit about 1" in size and will reach a height of 20 feet.

"Coralburst" has a pink bloom with red fruit 5/8" in size. This tree is dwarf which will grow to less than 12 feet in height and produces few fruits.

There are several more varieties of both apples and crabapples resistant or immune to scab. Planting one of these will reduce disease problems. So enjoy an apple or crabapple addition to your lawn with some disease resistance. Before you buy ask the nursery for their list of disease resistant varieties of apples and crabapples.