We planted a variety of 10 saplings/cuttings that we received from the Arbor Foundation a few months ago. Now, a bunch of them have this enlarged-branch with orange spots problem going on (for lack of a better term). Any ideas what's happening and how we might take care of it? Thanks! Gardner ( photo / image / picture from gardy's Garden )
Perhaps it is Cedar-Quince rust (Gymnosporangium clavipes). This type of thing can attack Hawthorn trees (which is what the specimen that you submitted looks like to me). The fungus can colonize on the fruits, leaves or stems. If this is fungus is indeed the insulting agent on your sapling it is interesting to note that the rust usually does not spread from hawthorn to hawthorn. The spores may have already been on the sapling before you got it, or there could be a cedar tree or quince tree somewhere withing wind-blowing distance (it can be kilometers away). The rust is systemic in the cedar and will recur each year...so it will be a perennial threat. I hope that I am wrong about this. We see the disease here from time to time on the hawthorn hedges that some folks have. The treatment is to remove as much of the leaves and twig tips as you can and dispose of them. I think that the professional garden center folk, landscapers and nursery owners then spray with a fungicide for good measure. Good luck.
Honestly, I'm not sure which kind of tree this is. When we joined the Arbor Foundation, they sent us 2 each of 5 kinds of flowering trees. This issue started on one tree, and has spread to all the rest. Unfortunately, if we cut off all the offending areas, we'd just be left with sticks in the ground, since they're so small still (all under 1 foot). I've attached a picture of a different tree with the same problem... We're in Pennsylvania, if that makes any difference. thanks for your help Gardner ( photo / image / picture from gardy's Garden )
That second picture gives an even better example of the telia. I am a bit concerned about your saplings, because if you have this fungus that i suggeated the infestation could surround the twigs and choke them off, resulting in the loss of everything distal to the infection site. I am really hoping that I am mistaken about this. Good luck with this, Gardner.
