What is Nectria twig blight, and how do I identify and manage the disease?

Nectria twig blight is a fungus disease that results in dieback of apple twigs. It is caused by the fungus Nectria cinnabarina. Recognition of the disease is important because it is often confused with fire blight, which requires different control measures. For more information and images, read this article on Nectria Twig Blight of Apple.

Answer provided by Alan R. Biggs, West Virginia University.…

Are there restrictions to grafting my own apple trees?

Some cultivars of apple are under patent. If the patent is still applicable, then you must contact the nursery (or whoever holds the patent) and pay the royalty for each tree you propagate. Failure to do so could lead to criminal penalties, a monetary judgment (and/or fine), and destruction of the trees you propagated. Apple cultivars that are part of an exclusive club or licensing agreement are also illegal to propagate, and there usually is no avenue for a “non-club …

What is black rot, and how do I identify and manage the disease on apple trees?

Black rot is a fungus disease that can cause serious losses in apple orchards, especially in warm, humid areas. Three forms of the disease can occur:

  • a fruit rot, which causes fruit to become unmarketable;
  • a leaf spot known as frogeye leaf spot which, if severe, can result in defoliation which weakens the tree; and
  • a limb canker which can girdle and eventually kill entire branches.

Read more and see images in this article, Black Rot of Apple.…

Can I grow apple trees in my windbreak?

The primary function of a windbreak is to reduce wind speed around areas in need of protection. If you are interested in having multiple species in your windbreak, apples might be a good choice.

  • Locate the apple trees in interior or wind-sheltered rows as their tolerance to wind is not as great as that of other species.
  • Place the apple trees closer than in a typical orchard, and plan for a reduced fruit yield, particularly if the windbreak plantings are

How do rootstocks affect apple fruit size?

Results from a number of apple rootstock trials in different regions of North America indicate that some rootstocks can influence fruit size. Trees on M.7, G.16, and M.26 generally produce smaller fruit than trees on M.9. Most other tested rootstocks produce fruit slightly smaller than M.9. Although experiments have not been performed to compare fruit size from trees grown on semi-dwarf or non-dwarfing rootstocks, orchard observations indicate that fruit produced by trees on M.9 are larger than fruit produced by …

What is quince rust, and how do I identify and manage the disease on apple trees?

Quince rust is a fungus disease caused by Gymnosporangium clavipes. The fungus infects fruit, but not leaves, of most apple cultivars. It infects both leaves and fruit of hawthorn. Typically, an infection on apple fruit shows up first as a slightly raised purplish area on the calyx end of the fruit. On mature fruit, the lesion is sunken and dark green or purple. Usually, the entire calyx end of the fruit is involved, and the flesh is deformed to …

Quince Rust of Apple


Figure 1. Quince rust often forms orange tubes for spore dissemination. Photo: Alan R. Biggs, West Virginia University.Quince rust is a fungus disease caused by Gymnosporangium clavipes. The fungus infects fruit, but not leaves, of most apple cultivars. It infects both leaves and fruit of hawthorn.

Typically, an infection on apple fruit shows up first as a slightly raised purplish area on the calyx end of the fruit. On mature fruit, the lesion is sunken and dark green or purple …

What is cedar-apple rust, and how do I identify and manage the disease?

Cedar-apple rust is a fungus disease of apple and cedar and spends parts of its life cycle on each host. It is caused by Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae. The fungus can infect leaves and fruit of most cultivars in the eastern region. A notable exception is ‘Delicious’, which is nearly immune. For more information, see this article on Cedar-Apple Rust.

Answer provided by Alan R. Biggs, West Virginia University.…

What is white root rot in apple trees?

White root rot, caused by the fungus Scytinostroma galactinum (formerly Corticium galactinum), has been known as a parasite of apple trees for many years and is widely distributed (Canada to Texas and westward to the Pacific Coast, Europe, West Indies, and Japan). It is found in both bearing and non-bearing apple orchards. Other hosts include a wide variety of woody plants, ornamental shrubs, and herbaceous perennials, including white pine, ash, peach, blackberry, dewberry, Japanese wineberry, dogwood, sumac, white campion, …