Silver Leaf

What is silver leaf?   Silver leaf is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of deciduous trees.  The disease has its biggest impact in fruit trees such as apple, pear and cherry, but can also affect ornamental trees such as willow, poplar, maple, oak, and elm.  Silver leaf has traditionally been considered a disease […]

Red Star Rust

Red star rust (also known as Japanese apple rust or lipstick rust) is a type of Gymnosporangium rust. This plant disease is particularly concerning because of its potential negative impact in commercial apple production. 

Blister Canker

What is blister canker? Blister canker (also known as nailhead canker) is a potentially lethal disease that primarily affects apple and crabapple trees.  Other trees and shrubs grown in Wisconsin that can be affected by the disease include American elm, honey locust, hornbeam, magnolia, mountain-ash (rowan), oak, pear, and serviceberry. What does blister canker look […]

Identification, Management and Control of Major Apple Pests

By: Diana Alfuth, Horticulture Outreach Specialist Major insect and fungal pests can cause damage to your apples. In this video, you will learn about the major insect and fungal pests, how their life cycle influences management techniques, and several practices that you can use to help you be successful growing apples. There are four major […]

Apple Pest Management for Home Gardeners

Home gardens with only a few trees make limiting pesticide use feasible while still producing a great crop of apples. This publication outlines basic principles of pest management for home-grown apples.

Bagging Apples for Insect and Disease Control

Producing apples in home gardens can be challenging due to damage by insects and fungal diseases. One effective organic solution is placing developing fruit in bags. This factsheet describes the process.

Fruit and Frost

Wisconsin always has a risk of spring frosts, which can injure or kill flowers or immature fruit. This factsheet outlines critical temperatures and describes ways to protect against late season frosts.

Raspberry Disorder: Fire Blight

While more common in apples and pears, fireblight also affects raspberries. Find out how to spot, prevent and control this disease in your raspberry patch in this publication.

Gray Mold (Botrytis Blight)

Gray mold (or Botrytis blight) is a common and often serious fungal disease that can affect plants of all kinds. Learn more in this factsheet.

Armillaria Root Disease

Armillaria root disease, also known as shoestring root rot, can affect most conifer and hardwood species, and is an often lethal disease of tree and shrub roots and lower stems. Learn more in this factsheet.

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