Thank you for your question.

There are several common apple diseases in Minnesota. Among these are:

1). Apple Scab. This fungal disease is associated with dark, scaly lesions on leaves and twigs. Often early leaf drop is observed.

2). Cedar Apple Rust. Another fungal disease that requires both apple trees and cedar or juniper trees for the complete life cycle. Unless you have nearby cedar or juniper trees, this is not a likely possibility.

3). Fire Blight. This is a bacterial disease that affects blossoms and branches, causing them to turn brown or black and appeared scorches. This disease seems consistent with the symptoms you are observing.

4). Apple Scab. Another fungal disease causing dark, scaly lesions on leaves and twigs.

See the following for a more complete description of these and other diseases:

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/apple-scab - :~:text=Apple scab is the most,infects both leaves and fruit.

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/fire-blight

https://minnetonkaorchards.com/apple-tree-diseases/

It is virtually impossible to diagnose a specific apple disease from pictures alone. I would suggest that you explore two things: an on-site assessment by a professional arborist and submission of samples of plant material to the University of Minnesota Plant Disease Clinic. To conclude that the tree be removed may be premature until the actual disease is identified. Related to this would be indiscriminate spraying of the tree without knowing what pathogen is involved. See the following for more information:

https://pdc.umn.edu/

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional

Good luck in trying to get further information about your tree. Thanks for using our forum.