What's wrong with my Cortland apples? - Ask Extension
Several of our Cortland apples had a hard bright yellow mass at their base (photos attached). They come from a single tree in the home yard near Brown...
Knowledgebase
What's wrong with my Cortland apples? #376280
Asked November 09, 2016, 4:04 PM EST
Several of our Cortland apples had a hard bright yellow mass at their base (photos attached). They come from a single tree in the home yard near Browns Valley, Minnesota. The mass doesn't seem to affect the taste (we used several to make cider), but we would like to know the cause. Several years ago, a cedar tree grew near where the apple tree now is, but has been long dead. Is the yellow mass safe to eat? What is it? Can it be controlled/eliminated?
Traverse County Minnesota
Expert Response
It appears to be apple maggot damage (there has been a lot this year), Check
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/fruit/apple-pest-management/maggot/ for more information.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/fruit/apple-pest-management/maggot/ for more information.
Here is a additional comment from another expert.
Although the yellow interior discoloration does suggest that the fruit has been damaged by apple maggots, frass at the calyx and the black trail at the core indicates that it has also been injured by codling moths. Evidence of cedar apple rust can also be seen at the calyx. Compare: http://organicgrowersschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Cedar-Apple-Rust-aecia-on-fruit-NC-State....
Although the yellow interior discoloration does suggest that the fruit has been damaged by apple maggots, frass at the calyx and the black trail at the core indicates that it has also been injured by codling moths. Evidence of cedar apple rust can also be seen at the calyx. Compare: http://organicgrowersschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Cedar-Apple-Rust-aecia-on-fruit-NC-State....
