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, 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 are the cause or just living there.

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

Oh dear. No apple tree experience here at our house, sorry.

Christine....no experience with apple trees here, either. But you might want to try contacting your county extension office (or even check with your state extension service on line). They usually have lots of good information for both the home and commercial growers.

I will do that!!! Thanks so much!!

Speaking of apples, does anyone have a good list of which apples to grow for pies, apple betty, eating raw, candied, etc.?

I heard a sweeter apple is good for baking like a HoneyCrisp? But I am sorry I am not a cook! (secretly hate cooking and panic at the thought of it)

Christine,
Maybe this is the problem, or similar to it.

Branch cankers:
Infected branches and twigs are often darker in color and the bark may appear sunken and cracked. If the bark is cut away from the infected branch reddish brown discoloration can be seen on the inner wood. Branch cankers can be avoided by pruning out infections that occur on young shoots.

Susan,
Johnathons and Yellow Delicious are a very good cooking apple. Johnathon has a a sweet/tart taste and The Y. Delicious are more sweet and also good for eating raw. Both are common apples and have been around a long time. There are many good apples tho. Miller Nurseries has many old time apples. I ordered a Famouse/Snow Apple from them because the flesh is white and good for apple sauce and cider. I grew up with one, but it wasn't my eating apple. I loved the Grimes Golden. I never expected to plant the Snow Apple, LOL!

Honey Crisp and Spetember Song, both fairly new, are THE best eating raw apples!
utsu too, but takes such a long growing season.

Christine27360
It sounds like you may have a fungus growing. Is it black and powdery? You may need to spray it with a fungaside spray. Have you ever listened to the Larry Meiller show on Wisconsin Public Radio? He has "Garden Talk" on every Friday at 11:00 with guests about garden issues. At times he has people who talk about trees. You can go to WWW.wpr.org and click on his name to see the up coming shows. You can listen from your computer, call in or e-mail questions. They can ask you specific questions to give you a better idea of what you have going on.

gardenersdetective
I don't know if you have planted an apple tree yet or not. One apple that I have that I really like to make pies with is the "Bonnie Best" apple. It has a really interesting flavor and is good fresh too. I keeps pretty well too if refridgerated. It's available from Jung Seeds and Plants. I also love the Cortland for fresh eating and it make good pies too. I'm sure you know that unless you have a neighbor close by with an apple tree, you'd have to plant two varieties for pollination. Both of these trees are cold hearty.