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What actions should I take due to this disease? #866572

Asked May 01, 2024, 9:35 AM EDT

Attached are photos of symptoms present on a 6’ cedar tree planted in the front yard of my residential home in Bloomington, MN. On this half acre lot I have in the back yard a Summer Crisp Pear Tree, a Zestar Apple Tree, a Honey Crisp Apple Tree, and two Tripleplay Apple Tree Clumps (Honey Crisp Apple Tree, Sweet Sixteen Apple Tree and Cortland Honey Crisp Tree clumped together). All the fruit trees were purchased as #10 pot sizes from Bachman’s in 2018. I also have an Acer Hybrid North Winds Maple Tree, two River Birch trees and a Juniper Wichita Blue in the back yard. In the front yard I have two 6’ tall cedar trees that are displaying symptoms of what I suspect is Cedar-Apple rust or Juniper bloom rust. If I am correct, should I remove the infected branches, witches’ brooms (round clumps of foliage), round bulp galls, etc.? Or should I remove both cedar trees entirely from my property? How can I treat and protect my fruit and cedar trees if I do not remove the cedar trees? Will my Arborvitae or Juniper Wichita Blue evergreens contribute to this issue? If the orange jelly-like rust spores are falling to the ground beneath the cedar trees, is there anything I can do to neutralize them on this property? What symptoms should I look for in the near future on my fruit trees and cedar trees, and what actions should I take if these symptoms arise?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Your cedar does have cedar-apple rust. As you mentioned, cultural control is important. Removal of infected areas, specifically galls, is essential. The Your apple and juniper varieties are not resistant and will be susceptible to infection if spores are released. Treatment with fungicide is not recommended, especially on fruit you will be eating. You will need to decide if removal of the cedar/s is a step you would like to take. Below is a link to additional information on cedar-apple rust. It includes photos of apple trees with infection. 

https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/cedar-apple-rust#managing-rust-on-juniper-and-eastern-red-cedar-1172761
Amy J. Extension Master Gardener - HC Replied May 04, 2024, 11:02 PM EDT

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