Hello.

We just discovered a branch full of seemingly diseased apples on our semi-dwarf Malus Sylv "Red Delicious" tree (planted and producing apples since 2004). The apples in question are small, shriveled, have spots and are discolored (see pics below). Some have been attacked by coddling moth and/or curcurlio (example is the middle apple in the first pic below), but the shriveled apples look totally different from the damage caused by those insects.

Any idea what this is and why it appears to have affected one full branch? Should I remove these apples asap? I don't see any point in leaving them on the tree. The rest of the apples on the tree (not pictured) look fine. Thanks for any tips.

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Second question: June and July have been relatively hot this year. Flowers have bloomed about a month early. Do you think the apples might be ready to pick a month early this year too?

LD