Just noticed that on probably half of the fruit on our crabapple tree that each of the affected fruit has orange spiked growth all over it. When plucked from the tree an orange powdery substance disperses from it like pollen. Am wondering if the tree overall is in trouble and the best way to combat this if it is harmful. Have several bird feeders in the tree too - could this have contributed to this? Otherwise the tree appears healthy and even has an offshoot. Would like to harvest this offshoot if at all possible. Any help with diagnosing this problem - if it is one - is greatly appreciated.
Rust? Cedar-apple rust comes to mind. http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/doc...gy_and_ecology/cedar-apple_rust_05-01-08r.pdf Rust-mites http://jenny.tfrec.wsu.edu/opm/gallery.php?pn=300