The bark damage is probably sunburn. I say that because it is on top of a large horizontal limb. Perhaps someone did some pruning in that area and exposed the limb to excess sun. Painting such limbs and the trunk with a 50:50 mix of white interior latex paint and water will help from having this elsewhere. It probably won't help the current limb much but won't hurt either. The hole is where a limb died and rotted out. Trim any dead limbs back to the collar. The collar is a ring of raised tissue at the junction of a limb and a larger limb. In other words don't leave a stub but don't cut a wound any bigger than necessary when pruning out a limb.

Jayco: Cedar apple rust is a disease that is active very early in spring, mostly April and in colder areas may up to mid-May. If your CAR problems amount to only a few spots on the leaves, and the disease has not caused serious problems on the fruit of your bearing Macs, you have relatively mild cases. But a serious CAR outbreak on the fruit distorts and ruins the apples, often leaving them to rot right on the trees. If you ever see a greasy yellow/orange substance on the calyx ends of the fruit, you may want to consider preventive measures, which must be taken early. All spraying is temporary. I sure wish it was permanent. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Thanks everyone. We haven't fertilized the trees yet. We're new to gardening and fruit trees and wanted to be organic. I just read something about organic gardeners and how they believe they shouldn't fertilize, but in fact we should. Kind of a "doh" moment. Sometimes you feel it's just something else you have to figure out. Any suggestions? Can you use all purpose ferts i use in the garden, 4-5-6 fox farm? Since I have it know it's probably better to use than waiting. Milehigh- thanks for the info on the tree wrap. Sounds a lot better than painting. Warranty? I didn't know trees came with warranties! I've emailed the nursery and included photos but haven't heard back from them.

YES, protecting them is the way to go. I would be putting on something heavier then chicken wire, something like stucco wire tied around 3 or 4 fence post. Konrad