leaves on a limb of apple tree are wilting - apples are shriveling  - leaves are still green

Question: Hello I have a Dwarf Haralred (Haralson) apple tree. On 1 limb of the tree the leaves are wilting and the apples are starting to shrivel. There is some discoloration in the leaves with brown areas on leaves. There is nothing on the back of the leaves. Please tell me what disease my apple tree has. Will the disease spread to the rest of the tree? Should I remove the leaves and apples of the affected limb? Can I wait until March 2024 to remove the affected apple tree limb? Will this disease kill the rest of the apple tree? Is there a chemical I should apply so that the disease will be killed and that c

responder: Paul W. U of M Extension Master Gardener Dakota County Replied June 27, 2023, 8:26 PM EDT
response: Could you send a picture of the branch in question?

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2023, 3:47 PM EDT
response: From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 7:26 PM To: bbamoen <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: leaves on a limb of apple tree are wilting - apples are shriveling - leaves are still green (#0107477)

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2023, 3:53 PM EDT
response: I sent you 2 pictures. Please let me know if you need anything else. Thank you very much for your help.   Bob Oen   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2023 7:26 PM To: bbamoen <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: leaves on a limb of apple tree are wilting - apples are shriveling - leaves are still green (#0107477)

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 30, 2023, 7:07 PM EDT
response: Hello I do not understand why my question was closed. I did not receive a response to my questions. Please resend your email response so that I can take care of my apple tree. If you are unable to help me please refer my question to someone else. Thank you. Bob Oen

responder: Paul W. U of M Extension Master Gardener Dakota County Replied July 01, 2023, 8:18 AM EDT
response: Bob,  I don't know what happened, but I did answer your question. May be a system glitch.  The apple tree has Fire Blight. While Harralson trees are resistant to this bacterial infection, they are not immune to it. This article will tell you what you need to know and how to prevent it in the future. Fire blight | UMN Extension  Please let me know if you received the answer this time!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 02, 2023, 3:52 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much for responding to my apple tree question. On the apple tree limb that has the fire blight should I remove the apples and leaves immediately? I hoping to save the tree. Thanks again for your help.   Bob Oen   <personal data hidden>     From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2023 7:18 AM To: bbamoen <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: leaves on a limb of apple tree are wilting - apples are shriveling - leaves are still green (#0107477)

responder: Paul W. U of M Extension Master Gardener Dakota County Replied July 03, 2023, 11:04 AM EDT
response: The recommendation is to only prune when the tree is dormant otherwise you risk spreading the bacteria and I would think that includes removing fruit and leaves.   Here is another reference. Fire Blight of Apples and Pears | Ohioline (osu.edu)  This is also good: Growing apples in the home garden | UMN Extension  I am going to contact Annie Klodd at the U and get her opinion on removing the leaves and fruit and get back to you. Since it is the July 4th holiday it may be a few days before I hear from her.

responder: Paul W. U of M Extension Master Gardener Dakota County Replied July 10, 2023, 12:11 PM EDT
response: You should remove the branch now. Be sure to destroy it and get it off your property. In one of the articles I referenced there are pruning instructions.