Crabapple foliage disease?!? Leaves turning orange

[Cypress]

Hey all, so I got this crabapple from a nursery just a couple weeks ago. I haven't done tons of work to it, really just repotted it and cut off the very top of the tree but still left it quite tall with lots of foliage to help it settle into it's new pot. But just this past week these orange spots started showing up on the leaves with some of the leaves turning completely orange and it's not looking good.

Does anyone know what this is? Some type of rust? I have some sulphur based fungicide made to mix with water and spray foliage. I think it would probably be a good idea to spray it down with some of that but would like to get peoples opinions.

 

[GrimLore]

As with many Fruit trees scale is a common problem. Not to be worried. If you have Orchard(s) where ever you live it is just "the way it is". Use any brand or copper fungicide as directed on the label. It is ok BUT wear eye protection, the local hardware store has proper for cheap(under 4 dollars). I found that as the years go by that a good Spring application at bud push after two years requires less and less as the years go by. On several types of fruits over the years I have it down to a Spring dose and far less of what he label says(10 days) I go 14 to 20 as I see needed, with a blast when they are dormant.

Grimmy

 

[Cypress]

As with many Fruit trees scale is a common problem. Not to be worried. If you have Orchard(s) where ever you live it is just "the way it is".

Thanks for the input. You think this is scale? Like they're spreading the fungus? Huh, don't see any buggers around and the leaf coloring looks like every description of cedar apple rust I've read. Oh by the way I had it sitting next like like 5 junipers for a while after i first got it haha. SO that would be a good way to start a vicious cycle of cedar-apple rust. Though none of my junipers have showed signs of carrying rust. But either way I have read copper fungicide being suggested for rust.

And yea, there are apple orchards all around here. Cornell orchards is right up the hill from me.

 

[iant]

I personally don't think this is an infection. It's mostly the 1st base leaves on each branch. This is what the plant does when it's a little stressed by heat or lack of water or repotting or something. It's sacrificing those lower leaves. I've had plenty of malus and prunus do this during the spring if it get too hot before they have a chance to rebuild their roots from repotting before the first heat waves hit.
Ian
I doubt rust or scale...

 

[GrimLore]

Any idea if Cornell is still doing Hybrid Apple projects? But back to scale - the type I am referring to mainly feeds on the base of new growth(as in your pictures) but also spreads to older growth slowly. It turns color and you can knock the leaf off by touching it after a day or two. The only way I know how to describe the way it looks would be to say "baby powder" or "fine white velvet" on various parts of the tree. It is VERY common is NY as well as PA.

Grimmy