Honeycrisp tree re-planting and cedar rust

Question: I think I incorrectly planted my new honeycrisp apple tree last week and am wondering if I can re-plant it.  We have heavy clay soil. I dug a hole about twice the size of the root ball but am reading it should be larger.  
So far the tree seems to be doing ok but the leaves appear to have cedar rust which I'm hoping you can confirm.  If cedar-rust, should I follow the cultural practices described online rather than using an fungicide?
thank your

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 18, 2023, 12:58 PM EDT
response: Yes, you can replant it.  If you can keep the root ball more or less intact maybe by supporting with a shovel, this will help.  If you can find well aged crumbling wood chips, put a layer of about 4 inches deep and incorporate thoroughly at least 1 foot over a 5 or so 6 ft diameter area and gradually blend the outside edge of the planting hole with the native soil so that there is not a sharp transition from amended to native soil.  For a heavy soil I recommend having a ridge or mound (see picture) so that water tends to drain away from the rootsystem.    The first picture does not look like rust, more like spray damage.  The second is not typical of rust--the color is not quite right.  The underside should eventually have bumps (see picture).  Could this be spray damage as well?

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 16, 2023, 12:53 PM EDT
response: Hi, I submitted the following question on August 26, but didn't hear back so I thought I'd try again replying to this email.YOUR QUESTION #0117330:Deer protection for apple tree and dogwoodsHi, Can you advise me on the best deer protection for my newly planted apple tree? I'm hoping not to have to build a fence and was wondering about the effectiveness of other methods such as the plastic spiral trunk protectors. I also planted some young red osier dogwood at my son's house in Waterford Township (Oakland County) and am hoping you can also advise on deer protection for those. They are small shrubs about 3-5 ft tall. I was thinking we might need to use a protective bag. Thank you for your help with my questions! Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.On Thu, May 18, 2023 at 12:59 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 18, 2023, 2:36 PM EDT
response: The spiral wraps protect the lower trunk against winter time feeding of rabbits and voles/mice, and perhaps some buck rubbing their horns.   Rather than a fence put a cage of of 4 or 5 foot tall wire fencing around them.   One or two metal fence t-posts or equivalent should be used to hold the cage in place.  The fencing can be secured to the post with weather resistant (usually black) zip ties.  This will help the tree get established.  If you are trying to protect against buck rubbing the trunk you can also put a metal pole close to the trunk.