Cedar apple rust - Crabapple Cedar-apple Rust Disease

Cedar apple rust is caused by a fungus but unlike many diseases, this fungus requires two different trees (hosts) to complete its life cycle - a red cedar tree and an apple or hawthorn tree. The pathogen produces tumor-like growths (galls) on branches of red cedar trees but causes little damage to these trees. The disease also causes damage to apple or hawthorn leaves and fruit. Cedar apple rust is not uncommon in Florida but is not considered much of a threat. The disease causes great concern in states where apple orchards are big cash crops.

Acknowledgements: The development of this site was funded by the Florida 4-H Foundation and the School of Forest Resources and Conservation at the University of Florida. The following individuals worked hard to write and edit descriptions, collect plants, take photographs, and design this website: Nancy Birmingham-Hague, Alison Bowers, Jennifer Engle, Tracy Fluchel, Holly Johnson, Larry Korhnak, Alan Long, Martha Monroe, Jenny Seitz, Joel Smith, Willie Wood