Apple is one of the most vulnerable fruits in the world and knowing the common apple tree diseases and its relevant management will lessen your headaches especially of you are starting to plant for this kind of fruit.

What are the common Apple tree diseases?

• Apple scab is a common apple tree disease which usually endemic during the spring season. Caused by fungus, Venturia inequalis, apple scab is exhibits greyish to brownish lesions found mostly in leaves, scales, buds and sepals. These parts are evident on the undersides of the leaves which progresses from only brown patches at first, but blacken and die subsequently.  In other cases, it manifests on the trunk of the tree.

Cork spot

• Another type of apple tree diseases is Cork spot, which is primarily caused by decreased soil pH and calcium insufficiency. Commonly found in parts of California, these apple tree diseases have marked bumpy surface and has a yellow discoloration.
• Powdery mildew is a fungal disease in apples which is characterized by white talcum-like spots on the leaves and branches. One of the most dreaded apple tree diseases, powdery mildew is caused by Podosphaera leucotricha which is present during dry summer seasons. One of the main distinguishable features of powdery mildew is the stunned growth of stems and braches which eventually die off.
• One of the most widely-known apple tree diseases is the cedar apple rust. It has evident orange lesions on the leaves and a bright orange appearance at the bottom of the apple. Actually, the rust does not come from the apple itself, but from another tree called cedar.

Cedar Apple Rust

• Contagious types of apple tree diseases are the fire blights. Fire blight is caused by Ewinia amylovora comes from rain and insects, which also affects pears, apricots, plums and peaches. Many countries such Japan, Australia and New Zealand have suffered from this apple tree disease because it can affect greatly on the production of apples. Some of the notable effects are brown leaves, black twigs that would later turn downward and twisted and infected trunks.
• Known to appear during dry seasons, black rot are typical apple tree diseases caused by fungus. When apples are started, small purple specks form and circular frog eye-like lesions tend to appear. This apple tree disease is also a fruit infection that also evident in twigs, stems and barks.

How to prevent apple tree diseases?

In order for apples to be ripe properly, certain measure should be noted. With so many apple tree diseases forming just anywhere in any country, prevention should be highly prioritized.

• When infected twigs are starting to form, you need to prune it out in order for the apple tree diseases not to affect the other parts of the tree and also to promote air circulation.

Preventive Sprays

• There are a lot of preventive sprays in the market which will help stop fungus formation on the tree and control apple tree diseases to proliferate.
• Regularly check for the trees and observe for any unusual deformations and discolorations. Apple tree diseases can be noticeable with a number of signs different from the usual.

Remove unnecessary trees such as cedars and hawthorns which can affect apple trees in general. If they are unavoidable, you keep a 2-mile radius because vectors might transfer the fungus from these trees to the apples. Cedar apple rust is an example to this kind apple tree diseases.