MSU Extension Integrated Pest Management

Management

Eliminating red cedar trees in the vicinity of orchards helps to reduce disease pressure. However, it is difficult to remove all sources of disease because the infective spores can travel on air currents for several miles. Pruning the "cedar apples" from cedar trees is an alternative to removing the tree itself. Where the disease is a problem, fungicides are applied from tight cluster through petal fall. The varieties Cortland, Crispin, Golden Delicious and Jonagold and are susceptible to both cedar apple and quince rust, Ida Red and Paula Red are susceptible to cedar apple rust, and Delicious and Empire are susceptible to quince rust.

Similar Species

Cedar apple rust is the most common rust on apple; it does not affect pear. Quince rust affects both apple and pear, but is a minor disease on pear. These diseases can be confused with each other, but can be differentiated in part based on the plant tissue infected.