I have 2 apple trees of which the first is about 35 - 40 years old and the other about 25. Both these trees produce bumper crops of delicious apples every year. All of a sudden this year I saw a branch that was starting to have its leaves turn yellow -- then all the leaves fell off. There are apples on the branch but as you can imagine, not they are not growing any more. So anyways, a branch near the first starts losing leaves -- same thing. Then all of a sudden the 2nd tree, all the leaves curl up and die on a branch and it is spreading!

Does anyone have any idea of what to do? I am thinking it is Blyte or something. I see a black patch (no oozing) on one of the branches on the first tree -- so we cut it off, then I noticed a patch on another branch -- this is something that is definitely spreading - so we cut it off. Then I noticed yesterday that the bark at the bottom of the tree is peeling off -- so I peeled it back - ear wigs everywhere. Not sure if they ar ethe cause or just living there.

Any ideas, comments welcome -- What should I do???

oh Christine I'm sorry about the apple tree... do you have a tree nursery close by you could possibly take a picture to? other than some sort of disease rolling through it I don't have any idea. did it stay wet around it for a long period of time (possibly rotting on the inside/out)

Very frustrating to have something like that with trees that have been healthy for so long - hopefully it's just weather-related stress or something that will clear up on its own!

You might want to check out this link and see if the symptoms your trees have match any of the diseases they describe:

http://www.gardeningchannel.co...

Thanks Sandy -- this is about as close as I can come to what the tree has......

Black Rot and Frog Eye Leaf Spot:
Black rot and Frog Eye leaf spot refer to the same disease at different points in the disease cycle. The disease, caused by Botryosphaeria obtuse, first manifests as brown spots on the ends of the fruit. The spots enlarge in concentric circles and eventually turn black, rotting the fruit. Leaves may become covered with small brown spots or holes. Later, the disease spreads to the tree limbs, causing cankers which can eventually kill the tree.
To combat this disease, prune out all infected tree materials and burn or discard immediately. Trees infected with fire blight disease may become weakened making them more susceptible to Black Rot. Spray the trees with Captan or sulfur while the disease is in the early stages.

I think I am in the later stage as the tree limbs have cankers (not oozing so I dont think it is Fire Blight)... I never noticed the brown spots on the apples but now as I look at the apples I see brown spots and some have gone black - I always thought that was just insect damage as I have never sprayed the trees with anything.

I will be sawing tree limbs and getting Sulfur to spray the tree -- wish me luck!!

Good luck Christine, I hope your trees survive.

I definitely wish you good luck, Christine!

Here's another thought, have you checked with your local university Extension Service - they generally have all kinds of info on agriculture-related stuff and maybe someone would come out and check your trees and give you some advice.

Sandy

Yeah - I thought about call the Rochester extension of the U of MN to see if someone wants to come out and take a peek!! I havent done it yet but I am seriously considering it! Also considering planting another tree (just in case!!)

I think callling the extension office is a great idea! And let us know what they say. Sorry for you, it's always hard for us to lose a tree or plant, but especially a nice tree that is mature.

yes that is a very good idea!!
a couple years ago we lost our old apple tree mostly to rot, but heavy wind really did it in, busted it clean in half. I shouldnt even admit to this, lol.. but I cried, and cried over losing that tree, which I had watched my little ones out picking apples from. That same day I went and purchased 2 more apple trees to replace it. It will be a good number of years before they will be any where near producing good sized apples, but at least I was able to replace it.
Please keep us in mind, let us know what you find out.