spray for fruit trees/fungus ?

[fishboy1]

Most of my fruit trees have orange spots on the leaves. Last year it was black spots.

Obviously have some kind of fungus. What is a good fungicide for fruit trees?

Apple/pear/plum/cherry...

Thanks!

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Orange spots are very likely Cedar Apple Rust. Not much you can do with fungus once the tree is already affected. Fungicides are preventative so you have to start spraying before the CAR spores are released in the Spring(about bloom time) and keep spraying near weekly until it gets to hot to produce the spores ( about this time of year here, when temps start going over 80F) But to get total control you would need to spray through September. You can monitor a known gall on a cedar tree though to get exact timing. In order to prevent CAR, you have to really love your apples, I just let my susceptible trees get it unless its a yard tree that Im going to be eating. Planting resistant trees is the only way to really get away from it without spraying alot. THere are several fungicides that can be used, Immunox is probably most popular.

 

[richmanbarbeque]

Good stuff Steven

 

[fishboy1]

Thanks.

What about the black spots we had last year? Same stuff?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Ironically, those black spots are most likely Black Spot fungus. I couldnt say that for sure without seeing but Black Spot is most likely. Same deal with it, fungicide must be applied before the spores are released. Those spores overwinter in decaying leaves, so putting urea on nearby leaves to aid in decay or removing nearby fallen leaves can reduce Black Spot. These wet Springs we have been having is what increases alot of these fungus issues. They love warm wet weather and will reproduce like crazy during it.

 

[fishboy1]

Thanks Steve.
So buying and spraying now would be a waste of money ?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

In my opinion, yes, waste of money at this point. You wont kill it, might slow it down slightly but not much. Its not a big worry though, slows the growth of the tree alittle, makes the fruit and foliage look bad, but its not going to kill the tree. You can even still eat them if you want. Ill run out here and take a pic of my G. Smith that has CAR right now so you can see if it matches close to what you have. Ill post it in a minute.

1st pic Granny Smith very susceptible to CAR, as you can see many spots.

2nd pic, Gala, not as susceptible, hence only a spot or two. Both trees are within 40 yards of each other, no spraying this year.

Your spots may be larger, as you should be more advanced than the mountain I live on, or they may not be yet but will get larger.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Updated with pics in above post.

 

[Football Hunter]

good info

 

[fishboy1]

Thanks Steve. Excellent explanation and the photos are spot on.

Thats exactly what we have. Lots more spots though. Guess its going to be a long haul before my apple trees start producing with all the obstacles they face.

 

[TS_13]

Hey Steve,
Do the leaves drop when the fungus matures?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Hey Steve,
Do the leaves drop when the fungus matures?

It is possible yes. The tree shouldnt be totally defoliated though. Leaf drop from rust would be worse in a dry summer. Can cause stunted, misshapen fruit that drops early too.

 

[Boone 58]

and daconil.