Cedar Apple rust- juniper

11 years ago

I'm in the process of taking down a 20 yr old apple tree that is half dead, filled with fungus, bugs and blooms. I assume it has cedar Apple rust. The tree removal will take awhile maybe 2 mos because we can't burn.

It is about 150 ft away from where I wanted to place a Hetzi juniper.

Besides the standard, don't do it do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

Terri

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

11 years ago

The apple (or other Rosaceae species) and the juniper act as co-hosts, transferring the fungal spores back and forth between them. Generally, it is the Rosaceous host that suffers the most - the worst the junipers are affected is by the development of bizarre looking fungal galls. They are most certainly not killed by it. If you have not even confirmed the disease is present in your apple, you are worrying unnecessarily about the planting the juniper.

It is by no means a given that having certain juniper species and the wide variety of susceptible Rosaceous plants that these fungal organisms infect together in the same proximity will lead to one of these rusts (there are three, depending on the specific plants infected), so ripping out one or the other is not really a requirement. And the fungal organisms can be treated. IMO, it is more of a deal breaker if you have a home orchard and the disease is present in your area - then I would be concerned about the proximity of junipers and select disease resistant apples, crabapples, quince, pears and serviceberries.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
dont do what ????

an old .... infected .... ugly ...... problematic tree should be taken down with malice and aforethought [the definition of murder ... or redrum for some of you] ...

you arent going to find much of the tree hugging PC police around here ...

i usually call it.. putting it out of my misery ... and justify it.. with the fact that i usually plant more than one replacement of some other tree .. conifer .. or plant ....

i dont know about your diagnosis ... but that matters not ...

nor do i know if the blight impacts chinensis ... in your area ...

regard less.. just do it ...

ken
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
11 years ago
Are you saying the Apple could infect the juniper?
Related Professionals
Birmingham Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cumberland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clarksville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Pittsburgh Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Saint Marys Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Tucson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dallas Landscape Contractors · Chillicothe Landscape Contractors · Flagstaff Landscape Contractors · Miami Home Builders · Aiken Home Builders · Oneonta Home Builders · Chula Vista Home Builders · Fort Collins Home Builders · Vancouver Home Builders
Terri zone 6
Original Author
11 years ago
I incorrectly stated the apple had the cedar rust. Pls. Excuse this rudementary explanation. Apparently the apple serves as host for the fungus and sends it to the juniper where it will turn into a problem and kill the juniperus. I was told this at the nursery where they strongly reccommended removing any apple/crabapples prior to planting any juniperus.

Not trying to say that every apple-juniperus combo will be a problem. According to internet "facts" if planting new, one should consider rust resistant varieties or be ready to spray.

terri
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
11 years ago
Just wondering. Our hill is covered with junipers and we have two healthy apples here in So CA. Apples have no problems at all. Maybe this disease is a regional problem.
Terri zone 6
Original Author
11 years ago
Good luck.

Terri