Botany and Plant Pathology

BP-35-W
Botany and Plant Pathology

Diseases of Ornamentals
Cedar Apple and Related Rusts
Cedar apple rust is a common fungal disease of junipers, apples and crabapples.
Other similar rusts cause problems on hawthorns. There are three separate rust
fungi, all of the genus Gymnosporangium, with very similar life cycles. Each
fungus requires two different tree species to complete its life cycle.
Cedar apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae)
Symptoms
In early summer, small yellow spots appear on the upper-leaf surface of infected
Paul C. Pecknold,
apples and crabapples. The spots rapidly enlarge, becoming a brilliant red-orange
Extension Plant
color. These spots can cause loss of leaves (defoliation) if infection is severe.
Pathologist
With time, usually later in the summer, the undersides of these spots produce short
protruding “fingers” of fungal tissue that bear microscopic spores.
Infected red cedars and junipers form chocolate brown galls, generally the size of
a half-dollar, on infected twigs. In early spring, finger-like tendrils (spore horns)
emerge from the galls. The horns have a gelatinous (jelly-like) texture, and it is
from these structures that spores are produced. These galls maintain their bright
color for two or three weeks, then dry and wither.
Disease cycle
Reference to products in this
publication is not intended Junipers are considered the primary host, and it is here where the fungus
to be an endorsement to the overwinters. Galls are produced two years after infection by spores produced
exclusion of others which on the apple or crabapple. During spring, with emergence of spore horns on the
may be similar. Persons junipers, a different type of spore is produced that infects the alternate host--apple
using such products assume or crabapple. In midsummer, infected apple leaves produce spores which in turn
responsibility for their use infect junipers, completing the life cycle. The most damaging phase of the disease
in accordance with current is on the alternate host: apples and crabapples. Severe defoliation may occur,
label directions of the weakening the plant. This disease generally does not cause significant injury to
manufacturer. junipers.
Figure 1. Cedar-apple rust gall with expanded spore horns
Purdue University • Cooperative Extension Service • West Lafayette, IN 47907

Cedar-quince rust (G. clavipes) preventing disease. A distance of 1/4 mile between
junipers and alternate hosts is helpful, but this is
Symptoms
often not practical. Whenever possible, at least avoid
Infected juniper twigs look slightly swollen and planting the two different host types right next to each
may be cracked. In late April and May, orange spore other.
masses emerge from these swollen areas, but no
Removal of galls
tendrils are produced. Infected twigs may develop
cankers (dead areas); twig and branch dieback can In late winter remove and destroy all galls from
result. On the alternate hosts (hawthorn, quince, apple junipers. This is a practical control if infection is light
and crabapple) leaf spots are rare. Instead, this fungus and there are not many susceptible junipers in the
causes distortion of twigs, buds, and fruit. The most area. However, even if you are successful in removing
common symptom is on hawthorn. Fruits become all galls, infectious spores can be blown in from other
shrunken and often die; twigs become enlarged and trees.
woody. Pink tubes, about the size of a pencil lead, Chemical control
protrude from affected fruits and twigs and shed Rust does not kill apples, crabapples, or hawthorn,
orange spores. and generally does not cause sufficient injury to
Cedar-hawthorn rust (G. globosum) warrant use of fungicides. If rust is a chronic problem
causing leaf drop and poor tree vigor, registered
Symptoms
fungicides may be used on the broadleaf host.
Galls are produced on junipers. These galls are
These fungicides are preventive and must be applied
usually smaller and more irregular in shape than the
several times during early spring to maintain a
cedar apple galls, and produce slightly different spore
protective coating on developing leaves, twigs
horns. Yellow leaf spots are produced primarily on
and fruit. When spring weather is dry fungicide
hawthorns rather than crabapples and apples.
applications are generally not required. Read
Disease cycle and follow label instructions regarding amounts
for (cedar quince and cedar hawthorn rust.) of fungicide method of application, and safety
The life cycle is similar to that described for cedar precautions.
apple rust. Registered fungicides for rust control are subject to
Control change. For current control recommendations, consult
your local Purdue Cooperative Extension office
Control methods are similar for the three fungi. or Purdue University’s Plant and Pest Diagnostic
Use of resistant varieties Laboratory (1155 LSPS, Purdue University, West
The best method of avoiding cedar rust diseases is Lafayette, IN 47907; (765) 494-7071).
to use resistant plants when installing new trees.
However, the cedar rusts are not the only diseases to
attack crabapples, apples and hawthorns. Apple scab
and fire blight are two other important diseases of
crabapples and apples. Fabraea leaf spot is common
to hawthorn. On junipers, Phomopsis and Kabatina tip
blights are recurring problems almost every year.
Therefore, when choosing a cultivar to plant, consider
total disease resistance, not just resistance to one
particular problem.
Separation of hosts
The rust fungi are dependent upon both the primary
(juniper) and alternate (apple, crabapple, quince,
or hawthorn) hosts for survival. Removal of one or
the other breaks the life cycle of the fungus, thus Figure 2. Cedar-quince rust on fruit of hawthorn
REVISED 5/01
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BP-35-W

Botany and Plant Pathology

Figure 1. Cedar-apple rust gall with expanded spore horns

Purdue University • Cooperative Extension Service • West Lafayette, IN 47907

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