How can I help my apple trees?

Chalfont, PA(Zone 6b)

We have two apple trees that are about 3 years old. They have this weird looking thing going on with their leaves, and there is also a little bit of saw dust at the bottom of the tree. Any idea of what this may be?

Thumbnail by pgt
Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

Your leaf is exhibiting the manifestations of cedar-apple rust, a fungus. It has an alternate host life cycle with Juniperus virginiana, the native Eastern Red Cedar or Virginia Juniper. To get rid of it requires preventive fungicide applications.

The sawdust at the base of the tree is probably frass, which is what a larval borer leaves behind as it tunnels around under the bark of your tree. That's really bad. Look for small holes on the trunk of your apple tree, and for sunken or discolored bark. That would be an indication of where the borer larva(e) are active.

For more information on this, google for Flatheaded Apple tree borer. They are disgusting and destructive.

Chalfont, PA(Zone 6b)

Ugggh. Doesn't sound good. Thanks for the info!

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