apple tree infection....

[PatTim]

Discovered today my newish apple trees are infected with "Scab"..ive read in the net his is carrird on the wind, could i have prevented it ?

[queenbee]

This is only skin deep and does not affect the eating quality of the apple, however, they do not store well. I have ttried to store healthy apples and they so loose their flavour. Eat your apples or make your apple pies and they can be frozen for winter use.

[PatTim]

OK, thanks for that Queenbee, much appreciated..   

[jennym]

Scab can affect your apple tree badly if you let it get a grip.
It's wise to always clear up the dead leaves at the end of the season, as the scab fungus will overwinter in the leaves.
If you have nasty scab areas on old wood, you can cut this out.
If you want you can spray with a fungicide, there are a few on the market, also Bordeaux mixture offers some control. Best time to spray is just before the leaves start to show in the spring, and repeat until the blossom starts to open.

[PatTim]

Thanks jennym, ive removed the infected leaves, pruned back the branches affected and will spray if needed, its disssapointing but we live and learn..  thaks again.