Cedar Apple Rust

Our beautiful Ohio spring is here and so is the wet weather that comes with it.  When this happens, our lawns and landscapes can see any number of issues arise.  For example, that crazy looking orange alien that may be living in your tree is actually the reproductive organ of the dreaded rust fungus that has erupted from a gall that was caused by the fungal infection of a juniper/cedar tree.

Now, the interesting thing here is that the spores released from this organ do not infect other junipers. Instead, they infect apple trees and other members of the rose family. The rust then hops from one plant to the other each year.

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