This year we are pretty disappointed with how everything looks. I could use some advice and diagnosis. We are committed to treating with organic controls and don't need things to be perfect, but we do want to keep the trees as healthy as possible. We had a very dry summer last year, and this year is the complete opposite. Zone 5 Iowa.

I have posted one example below.

Thanks!

I can't help much with the organic approach (maybe neem oil could help some...)

But if I didn't spray with Immunox (fungicide) and Triazicide (insecticide) I don't think I'd have any apples to speak of. Hot, humid, and lots of rain is a nightmare. As it is, if I'm a couple days late on the schedule interval on the insecticide I can see the damage.

Maybe someone with organic control experience will chime in.

Good luck.

Check this article out.

Since you have just a few trees, have you tried bagging
your apples in June when they are the size of a dime?

Practical when the crop is very low, trees are small and not
enough crop to justify spraying or if someone only has a few trees. There are some very good posts on U-tube
showing bagging apples in plastic or paper. It does work.

Every year I bag all my Haralson because I spray with Imidan insecticide which seems to cause a lot of russeting on Haralson. When I grow them in bags, I have no issue.

Here are a few shots of apples I bagged a few years ago
(not Haralson)

Organic control is problematic but you can refer to Michael Phillips book, "The Apple Grower" for recommendations and explanations. Organic growers have a few tools but mostly rely on sulfur and a good sticker to combat scab- but it must be timed very well and reapplied after rain. Surround is a non-toxic product formulated out of kaoline clay and is the go to product for organic growers to discourage most apple eating insects.

I will look into controlling apple scab and the plum curculio. Maybe try some sulfur spray and some traps for the insects in the spring. I will try and bag at least some, so I get a few good apples.

I was have been pruning the trees each year, but probably not enough. I was going to try and top a few of them this year to limit height.

How do you think I will fair with that plan?

Thanks again for the responses!