Why Are My Apricot Tree Leaves Turning Yellow?

Yellowing leaves on an apricot tree are always a sign of stress, but the cause varies widely — from simple nutrient deficiency that is easy to correct to root problems caused by waterlogging or compacted soil that require more significant intervention. The pattern of yellowing on the leaves (interveinal or whole-leaf), the age of the affected leaves (old or new growth), and the time of year it occurs all point toward the underlying cause.

Nitrogen deficiency: pale all-over yellowing

When the whole leaf yellows uniformly — starting on older leaves low in the canopy and progressing upward — nitrogen deficiency is the most likely cause. New growth is small and pale. The tree may have been growing in the same soil for many years without feeding, or the nitrogen may have been leached by heavy winter rainfall. Apply a balanced fruit tree fertiliser in early spring (February–March) containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Sulphate of ammonia applied in February provides a rapid nitrogen boost.

Iron or manganese deficiency: interveinal yellowing

When new leaves show green veins with yellow tissue between them, the tree cannot access iron or manganese. This is almost always because the soil pH is too high (alkaline). Both iron and manganese become locked into insoluble forms at pH above 7.0–7.5. Test the soil pH — if it is above 6.5 for an apricot, apply sulphur to lower it gradually. Apply sequestered iron (chelated iron) as a drench to provide immediately available iron while the pH adjusts. For wall-trained trees in pots or raised beds, use ericaceous compost when repotting.

Waterlogging

Apricot roots suffocate in waterlogged soil, and the first visible symptom is often yellowing leaves across the whole canopy from midsummer onward. The tree may also show premature leaf drop and a lack of vigour. If the soil is persistently wet — particularly in clay-heavy borders — improving drainage is the priority. For wall-trained trees in the ground, dig drainage channels and incorporate grit into the root zone.

Summer yellowing and leaf drop

Some early leaf yellowing and drop in late summer (August) is natural in apricots and reflects the tree's normal seasonal cycle. If the tree is otherwise healthy and productive, light yellowing and drop of the oldest leaves in late summer is not a cause for concern.