In August, apple trees are already bearing fruit. However, some gardeners may face an unpleasant surprise during harvesting. Due to the whims of the weather, cracks may appear on the trees, and fungal diseases can spread on the fruits and leaves. Agronomist Lyudmila Shubina explained what to pay attention to and what measures to take to save the fruits. **Summer Injuries** Most often, the bark on apple trees begins to crack from sunburn. The damage increases throughout the summer. To prevent this, it is necessary to protect at least the southern part of the trunk annually by whitewashing. You can also wrap the tree with newspapers or light fabric. If you did not do this in spring, there is nothing you can do now — it is better to let the apple tree finish fruiting peacefully. If the crack is too deep, it can be rinsed with a saturated solution of potassium permanganate, then carefully clean the damage and seal it with garden pitch. Don't forget to whitewash the trunks in October when the bark has matured and the leaves have fallen. **Treating Scab** Scab is a fungus that spreads particularly actively in rainy weather. It affects leaves and fruits, makes apple trees less resistant to winter cold, and can kill up to 70% of the harvest. When infected, light, then brown and dark gray spots appear on the leaves, which curl and dry out. On the fruits, scab causes dry round spots with a dark crust. Apples on the infected tree become crooked and lose their flavor. As the expert notes, there is effective prevention for scab. For example, in spring, apple buds are treated with Bordeaux liquid or a solution with urea (700 g should be diluted in 10 liters of water). In autumn, a less concentrated solution (500 g per 10 liters) can be used to repeat the treatment. Additionally, it is important to monitor the density of the crown and carry out sanitary and formative pruning in a timely manner. If you have already seen scab, all foliage from infected trees should be removed and burned. In August, before harvesting, chemical preparations can no longer be used. However, bacterial agents can be used to destroy the fungi. They should be sprayed in the evenings all over the crown. Do not skimp on the solution; all leaves and fruits should be thoroughly moistened on all sides. At least two treatments should be carried out with a week's interval. You can prepare a mustard solution yourself. For this, prepare 100 g of dry mustard powder and dilute it in 10 liters of warm water. You can also add a little soap to the mixture.