I have a dwarf Jonagold apple tree by the front of my house which is
doing fine. I had a lot of apples off it last year.

Out back I have a small dwarf (not necessarily redundant -- it's a SMALL
dwarf) 3-in-1 (used to be 4-in-1) apple tree that I am bringing back
from several years of neglect. While the leaves on the Jonagold out
front (maybe 40 feet away) are fine, the leaves of the 3-in-1 are now
munched down to lace due to the action of some pest. The area of leaves
from nearby maples which is closest and above the 3-in-1 are also lace
from some pest. I presume the same pest. Other leaves on the nearby
trees are fine. In other words, it's a very localized phenomenon: on
the little apple and up onto one side of the foliage of the nearby maple.

When I inspect the tree, I see no pest on the 3-in-1 -- no insect, no
snails, no slugs. Obviously there is plenty of time when I am not
inspecting the tree.

My question is twofold:

1. a) How do I determine what is eating the apple tree leaves?
b) Does precisely what pest is doing it affect what I should do to
remedy the situation?

2. As an organic gardener, what can I do to repel the pest and/or help
the tree?

I am an experienced urban organic gardener in some ways but naive in
matters I haven't done much of yet. I am very new to fruit trees.

Thank you!

Priscilla
in a neighborhood of Boston, MA Zone 6 (though these days it sometimes
feels more like zone 7!)

On Thu, 17 May 2012 15:58:29 -0400, "Priscilla H. Ballou"
wrote:

I have a dwarf Jonagold apple tree by the front of my house which is
doing fine. I had a lot of apples off it last year.

Out back I have a small dwarf (not necessarily redundant -- it's a SMALL
dwarf) 3-in-1 (used to be 4-in-1) apple tree that I am bringing back
from several years of neglect. While the leaves on the Jonagold out
front (maybe 40 feet away) are fine, the leaves of the 3-in-1 are now
munched down to lace due to the action of some pest. The area of leaves
from nearby maples which is closest and above the 3-in-1 are also lace
from some pest. I presume the same pest. Other leaves on the nearby
trees are fine. In other words, it's a very localized phenomenon: on
the little apple and up onto one side of the foliage of the nearby maple.

When I inspect the tree, I see no pest on the 3-in-1 -- no insect, no
snails, no slugs. Obviously there is plenty of time when I am not
inspecting the tree.

My question is twofold:

1. a) How do I determine what is eating the apple tree leaves?
b) Does precisely what pest is doing it affect what I should do to
remedy the situation?

2. As an organic gardener, what can I do to repel the pest and/or help
the tree?

I am an experienced urban organic gardener in some ways but naive in
matters I haven't done much of yet. I am very new to fruit trees.

Thank you!

Priscilla
in a neighborhood of Boston, MA Zone 6 (though these days it sometimes
feels more like zone 7!)


Locate the nearest county extension agent and take some of the leaves
to them. See the link in my signature line.
--
USA
North Carolina Foothills
USDA Zone 7a
To find your extension office
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html

In article ,
The Cook wrote:
On Thu, 17 May 2012 15:58:29 -0400, "Priscilla H. Ballou"
wrote:
I have a dwarf Jonagold apple tree by the front of my house which is
doing fine. I had a lot of apples off it last year.

Out back I have a small dwarf (not necessarily redundant -- it's a SMALL
dwarf) 3-in-1 (used to be 4-in-1) apple tree that I am bringing back
from several years of neglect. While the leaves on the Jonagold out
front (maybe 40 feet away) are fine, the leaves of the 3-in-1 are now
munched down to lace due to the action of some pest. The area of leaves
from nearby maples which is closest and above the 3-in-1 are also lace
from some pest. I presume the same pest. Other leaves on the nearby
trees are fine. In other words, it's a very localized phenomenon: on
the little apple and up onto one side of the foliage of the nearby maple.

When I inspect the tree, I see no pest on the 3-in-1 -- no insect, no
snails, no slugs. Obviously there is plenty of time when I am not
inspecting the tree.

My question is twofold:

1. a) How do I determine what is eating the apple tree leaves?
b) Does precisely what pest is doing it affect what I should do to
remedy the situation?

2. As an organic gardener, what can I do to repel the pest and/or help
the tree?

I am an experienced urban organic gardener in some ways but naive in
matters I haven't done much of yet. I am very new to fruit trees.

Thank you!

Priscilla
in a neighborhood of Boston, MA Zone 6 (though these days it sometimes
feels more like zone 7!)


Locate the nearest county extension agent and take some of the leaves
to them. See the link in my signature line.

Thanks for the suggestion, but that's not really an option. I don't own
a car, and I have a demanding full time job.

Priscilla

In article
,
Billy wrote:

A bird feeder near the fruit trees for small birds might help, if the
problem is insects.

Now *that* is a brilliant idea. Get their attention on the area.

Thanks, Billy!

Priscilla