What is wrong with my apples? - Ask Extension
They have all these spots
Knowledgebase
What is wrong with my apples? #947934
Asked October 30, 2026, 3:11 PM EDT
They have all these spots
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
There is apple scab (disease) and plum curculio (insect damage). If these apples are no-spray, this is common to find on orchards.
Apples have multiple diseases and insects that can damage them. While it is possible to grow apples without using insecticides or fungicides, growing apples without blemishes often requires chemical inputs.
Take a look at the apple pest management section in this guide: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-146-w.pdf
Apple scab is an annual issue and requires fungicide application/s in Spring, but not when the tree is in bloom.
Plum curculio sometimes occurs and requires monitoring on trees or with monitoring traps.
Apples have multiple diseases and insects that can damage them. While it is possible to grow apples without using insecticides or fungicides, growing apples without blemishes often requires chemical inputs.
Take a look at the apple pest management section in this guide: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-146-w.pdf
Apple scab is an annual issue and requires fungicide application/s in Spring, but not when the tree is in bloom.
Plum curculio sometimes occurs and requires monitoring on trees or with monitoring traps.
