What's wrong with my apple trees? - Ask Extension
I've been trying to grow organic apples, but every year, they get little brown spots as well as larger brown scabs. I'm assuming there isn't much I ca...
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What's wrong with my apple trees? #879495
Asked July 30, 2024, 8:04 PM EDT
I've been trying to grow organic apples, but every year, they get little brown spots as well as larger brown scabs. I'm assuming there isn't much I can do this year, but is there anything I can do next year to prevent both of these? I included pictures of apples from two trees as well as pictures of the diseased leaves. Thank you so much!
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
It is difficult to grow what most consider good-looking and pest free apples in our area without close management and carefully timed and repeated chemical sprays for insect pests and diseases that are common in our area.
Most people aren't interested in all those applications, even those that are considered organic.
For many years I had a peach and an apple tree that produced tasty fruit, and easily enough for a pie or two each year, but I definitely peeled and cut out damaged parts before using them.
The rest fed wildlife in my yard.
The lesions on the leaf are a rust disease and it's not clear exactly what the other issues are from your photos.
You can explore our page on growing apples here and decide if you want to give the trees much time/effort/pesticide use:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-apple-and-pear-trees-home-garden/
Christine
Most people aren't interested in all those applications, even those that are considered organic.
For many years I had a peach and an apple tree that produced tasty fruit, and easily enough for a pie or two each year, but I definitely peeled and cut out damaged parts before using them.
The rest fed wildlife in my yard.
The lesions on the leaf are a rust disease and it's not clear exactly what the other issues are from your photos.
You can explore our page on growing apples here and decide if you want to give the trees much time/effort/pesticide use:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-apple-and-pear-trees-home-garden/
Christine
