Is there any hope

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kathy_ann Judsonia, AR(Zone 7b) May 17, 2006

For these apple trees.

You can tell in the picture that we've had some strong winds, and it kind of tilted one of the trees over andwe'll have to stake it back up or cut it down, or transplant, not sure which, but it has severe rust and so does the one next to it, All the trees are slightly tilted from the wind we've had, but this one is bad. The root system is really shallow on that tree, and probably the one next to it too.

We've tried in the past to clear out the rust even sprayed in the beginning of the season before it ever arrived on the trees, and it didn't help. Now it has spread to the two trees of the right of the picture, they've not had rust before, and I see rust spots on it now. The apple trees are about 5 years old now, and we've neglected to take care of them because I hated to poison them, but their all going to die now, it seems anyways.

kathy_ann

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Post #2289072
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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) May 17, 2006

It's really tough to grow apples as a food crop without straying from organic methods occasionally. If you truly want to do that, try some of the disease-resistant selections from the Purdue-Rutgers-Cornell program, and read up on organic management techniques to minimize inoculum sources, etc. Try the fruit/whatever forum for more detailed advice.

Guy S.

Post #2289147
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kathy_ann Judsonia, AR(Zone 7b) May 17, 2006

I don't really care any longer about being organic, I have used 50% malathion on the trees, and fungicide that's not organic, and nothing is helping, to get rid of the rust and keep it off

Post #2289472
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Lucky_P Hopkinsville, KY(Zone 6b) May 18, 2006

Timing is of the essence. Most of the 'fungicides' must be applied before you get rust infection - if you're already seeing the yellow/orange spots, the train has already left the station, and you've largely missed your opportunity for prevention.

Organic apple production in the eastern US is largely a pipedream. I've all but abandoned most of the apples in my orchard, as I do not have the time or inclination to do all the spraying that's required to get even halfway decent fruit - though early fruit bagging with cheap ziploc bags may actually get me some decent apples.
As they decline, or I pull them out, I'm replacing them with low-care/no-spray fruits like pears and persimmons.

Some or all of your problem with the leaning may well be due to improper rootstock selection - some rootstocks do not anchor well in some soil types. Most of my original apples were on a combo M9/M111 rootstock, and it just does not anchor well in my heavy clay soil with high water table and windy exposure. Good old M7 works best for me. YMMV

Post #2291560
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