Hey Glenn: That looks similar to the beginnings of what may be Frogeye leaf spot on my Freedom tree. Do you have any smaller spots with a yellowish area surrounding the spot? Have any of the spots turned into dead spots? Can you see any fungal fruiting bodies around the edges of the spots under magnification several times better than these photos?

What aphids? :) Have you checked other plants in your landscape for aphids? You may also need to control them there; in your case, all the forest around you may be teeming with the little buggers making you task more difficult.

Michael

Hi Michael-
At first I wasn't sure of your possible diagnosis, but then I discovered something else on my property which makes me think that you are right. Not on a fruit tree, but rather my oak trees. That sure looks like FrogEye Leaf Spot to me. And, that makes the apple leaf diagnosis all that much more likely. I suppose I could spray this Williams Pride for FELS in the future, but the damage (so far) is only minor. Thanks for the help!
-Glenn

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Here is a link that might be useful: Michael357's possible Frog Eye Leaf Spot pics

Glenn, all plants can tolerate some aphids, so don't worry that you've observed a few on your plant. The more you go after them with the big guns, the more you'll HAVE to spray....so try to deal with them with insecticidal soap applications, if at all possible.

This winter, you might want to plan some dormant oil spraying. That chore will go a long way to cut down on the overwintering aphid eggs, reducing the spring pest population greatly.

Hi Rhizo-
But I'm aiming for perfection! :-) Actually, I really just want to understand as much as I can so know how to handle problems with they arise. Anyway, yes, I do do dormant oil spraying. How come going after them with the big guns will cause more to come back? Is it that I kill their predators too? Won't insecticidal soap do that as well? I know this sort of thing happens because Permethrin , etc, can cause mite flareups. I just don't understand the mechanism that causes it. Any ideas? Thanks,
-Glenn

Glenn: Definitely keep an eye on the aphid population, their population can explode in a matter of days if not supressed by you or mother nature. They also can vector viruses.

Those spots look very familiar.

Michael

Glen, permethrin is lethal to aphids. Mites are another matter. Pyrethoids tend to kill mite predators, but not mites themselves. As such, pryrethroids cause mite flareups, but not aphid flareups.

Got it. Thanks Olpea!
-Glenn