Fungal disease
Apple Black Rot
A fungal disease of apple trees that causes "frog-eye" leaf spots, rotting fruit and cankers on branches.
Symptoms
- Leaf spots with purple edges and tan or brown centres ("frog-eye")
- Fruit rotting brown to black, often with rings, then shrivelling
- Sunken, cracked cankers on branches
What causes it
The fungus lives in dead wood, cankers and shrivelled fruit left on the tree, and spreads in warm, wet weather.
What you can do
- Remove shrivelled (mummified) fruit from the tree and the ground.
- Prune out dead wood and cankers in dry weather, cutting back to healthy wood.
- Give the plant space and good air flow; avoid crowding it against other plants.
- Clear fallen leaves and plant debris at the end of the season, where the disease survives winter.
Not sure it's black rot?
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General guidance only, not a diagnosis. Check product labels and local rules before using any treatment, and ask a horticultural specialist if a valuable plant is struggling. See the disclaimer.