How Far Do I Plant My Apple Tree From Cedar Trees to Keep Cedar Blotch From Happening?
- Clemson Cooperative Extension recommends keeping a minimum distance of 4 to 5 miles between apple trees and cedar trees to prevent cedar blotch contamination. Lesser distances of 2 miles may provide some protection.
- Apple trees with cedar blotch develop big, orange, rusty-looking blotches on their leaves and sometimes on young fruit as well. There may also be a red band present around some of these blotches.
- Cedar blotch, also known by its scientific name of Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae Schwein, is an airborne disease. Since wind patterns are unpredictable and it can travel up to four or five miles on a good gust, extreme distance is necessary to fully prevent cedars from spreading this disease to apple trees.