Question
My granny smith apple tree is getting orange colored spots,then the turn brown and die. A lot of little apples are falling off. Some of the apples have brown spots and, a couple of them are odd shaped. I don't know if it's scab or rust disease. How do I tell, and what do I do?

Answer
Pamela:
Your description may fit an infectious disease called Cedar-Apple Rust. It produces orange colored leaf spots and sometimes spots on the fruit.  If you are unable to send me a photo, try searching on "Google" for images of this disease.  Your description does not sound like apple scab.  Both of these diseases can be managed by spraying the tree with the correct material and at the right time of year. If after your search you are unable to draw any conclusions, send me another question along with a photo of these spots.

Thanks

Steve