Cedar-apple rust is a fungal disease requiring two hosts to complete its life cycle: cedar and apple (or crabapple) trees. Eradication efforts focus on interrupting this cycle. Successful management involves various strategies to minimize the disease’s impact and preserve the health and aesthetic value of susceptible trees.
Controlling this disease benefits both the fruit yield of apple trees and the ornamental value of cedar trees. Historically, significant agricultural losses have been attributed to rust infections, leading to ongoing research and development of effective mitigation techniques. Protecting valuable fruit crops and landscape trees is a primary motivator for managing this disease.
