Crab Apple - losing leaves

we have a 2 crab apple trees on the front lawn, both planted at the same time (I'd say that the trees must be over 16 years old)
one fo them has got the leaves going brown right from the top of the tree and I'm sweeping up leaves like I would if it was autumn time.

My neighbour had a huge clump of pampas grass in the middle of the lawn which he has got rid of and I don't know if he used something to kill off the pampas grass clump.
The tree is aobut 6 ft away from the centre of the dried bit of earth which was originally the pampas grass clump. I did have a quick chat with him and he did nto imply that he had put down anything to kill / damage the tree.

As far as I know, the trees do not belong to him or to us but were planted by the council but I'd hate for any tree to die or be killed off.

Any suggestion on what to look for to see what might be going on with this tree.

many thanks

 

I can sympathise with you about the crab apple trees. I have a thirty year old crabapple which has been healthy until this year. It blossomed okay but now the leaves are sp**** and the tree is covered in lichen. I don't know if the lichen is killing the tree but it certainly looks seedy and unwell. Can anyone help or advise on this please?

 

Alana, don`t worry about the lichen, taht is not going to hurt the tree. I think the problem, in both cases is the topsy turvy weather conditions. I would just wait and watch for now, both of you.

 

Thanks daitheplant.

after to-day winds I've swept up a whole wheeley bin full of leaves...

 

I feel as bit more reassured now Dai - I'll wait and see what happens