Signs, causes, fighting apple diseases

Numerous diseases often damage apples in home orchards each year. These include fly agaric and sooty mold, summer blight, black rot, powdery mildew, and cedar apple rust. This article discusses the signs, causes, progression, treatment, and preventive measures for several apple tree diseases. Some infections attack the tree roots in the fall, but symptoms do not appear until the following spring, when the tree can no longer absorb enough water and nutrients to continue growing. Disease control in apple orchards is difficult due to the lack of effective chemical treatments. Preventive measures can help control these diseases.