Knowledgebase

Tree leaves turning red #358473

Asked August 31, 2016, 6:45 PM EDT

Hi,

Months ago I started to see those small red dots on my tree leaves, recently they got bigger and I notice the tree barks are peeling off. Could you help me identify what disease it is and how to do the treatment?

Thanks

Lancaster County Nebraska

Expert Response

We are assuming all photos are from the same tree.
Is this tree a type of apple or crabapple?
We think the leaf spots look like a type of rust disease, perhaps cedar apple rust.
Rusts are unusual in that they need two different host plants to complete their life cycle. Here is our page about them: http://www.extension.umd.edu/hgic/rust-diseases-trees-and-shrubs (when they say 'pomaceous', they mean apple).

If your photo is showing the main trunk (trunks?) of the tree, things do not look promising.  The sloughing bark indicated a failing tree. Trees need their bark to send nutrients/water to the canopy. Without it they can't live.

Here is our page that can help you decide when to it may be time to remove a failing tree. Take a look: https://extension.umd.edu/learn/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree

cm

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