Q: I have a ‘Yoshino’ cryptomeria planted in my apple orchard. Is that a bad thing? I had read that planting flowering quince near an orchard is not good.

A: Although cryptomeria and juniper are both members of the Cypress (CQ) family, only junipers are hosts for the cedar-apple rust disease that infects apples. Quince is a host for cedar-quince rust, which also damages apples. Professional apple growers remove all quince and red cedar trees near their orchards to protect them from disease. Since your cryptomeria is not a host for rust disease, there is no need to remove it.