Virginia is ranked sixth in the nation for annual apple production, with most apples grown from the Piedmont to the northern Shenandoah Valley and down to the southwest counties. The Middle Peninsula and other eastern Virginia counties lack the environment and soil type necessary for commercial apple production, but many residents enjoy growing ornamental Rose Family members like crabapple (Malus spp.), hawthorn, quince, and serviceberry for their beauty and value to wildlife as habitat and food sources.
Native Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) and other junipers also grow prolifically in Coastal Virginia. An unfortunate fungal connection between junipers and members of the Rose Family can result in an endless cycle of infection. Gloucester Master Gardener and Tree Steward Jim Newton presented a PowerPoint at our August meeting on cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperivirginianae) and two other less common rust diseases, cedar-hawthorn rust (G. globosum) and cedar-quince rust...