Cedar-Apple Rust

What it looks like

On junipers and cedars, look for round galls that sprout bright orange, jelly-like 'horns' during wet spring weather. On crabapple, hawthorn, quince, or serviceberry, you'll see bright orange-yellow spots on the leaves, early leaf drop, and sometimes distorted fruit.

Often mistaken for: other leaf spot diseases on crabapple/hawthorn

When it shows up in the Triangle

Spores release from the cedar galls during spring rains, usually around April, then infect the other host trees over the following months.

Where you’ll see it

Affects eastern redcedar and junipers along with crabapple, hawthorn, quince, and serviceberry planted nearby.

What you can do

• Keep juniper/cedar plantings separated from crabapple, hawthorn, or serviceberry when you can
• Hand-remove galls from junipers in late winter before they turn gelatinous
• Choose rust-resistant crabapple varieties when planting new trees
• Rake and dispose of fallen infected leaves to reduce spores