Four trees don't often die in the same spot, did something happen to the soil in the area around the trees, or is it in a low area that was flooded for a period? Usually its a root problem when this happens. Fireblight can kill trees but on bigger trees like that you will see it on the top and not at the base. What you are seeing on your trees just sounds like dead wood, no disease in particular. Scott

Hi Andy_Levine- Good to hear back from you. As many people here know, I'm on a bit of a crusade these days to steer people away from the Bonide Fruit Tree Spray. When I first started coming to this forum, people told me to stay away from it, but I didnÂt understand why, nor what the alternatives were. 1.) The part that IÂm most mad about is that they say it works on CAR, when its active ingredients are ineffective on CAR. I know people who sprayed this stuff 15 times in a season attempting to fight CAR when thereÂs no way it ever could. Many a people have lost a lot of time, money, and tree due to this blatant mislabeling IMHO. 2.) Because itÂs a combination spray, itÂs having you spray other chemicals that you donÂt need. ItÂs much better and more effective to target your individual pests and diseases. 3.) The ingredients that it does have are not present in sufficient quantities to be effective anyway. (This from other experts, like Don, here on this forum) The only thing I wonder if itÂs effective (for me anyway) on is for that time when the apples first start to form, until they are bagged. It may be protecting me at that time, but even with that, the jury is still out and itÂs debatable. (IÂve just purchased some Permethrin to take over that role) My advice to you would be to throw that crap away. Then, pay close attention to your trees. And, when you see something that you donÂt like, and donÂt understand, do some research, and come to this forum and ask questions. Many people here are happy to help. Yeah, itÂs funny how early the sprays happen. You look at the tree during bloom time and it looks so beautiful and peaceful. ItÂs hard to believe that this is the time when some of the serious diseases are just starting to get going. By the time we actually see the damaged caused by the diseases, itÂs usually too late to do anything about it. ItÂs actually nice that it works out this way it means that if youÂre willing to bag your apples, youÂre not doing any sprays when there are actually apples on the tree. That makes me feel safer about the spraying. Good luck, -Glenn

So you have Goldrush Harvestman? Keeping qualities are what made me select it, so that's great to hear. I'm super surprised you are able to harvest Goldrush, you being significantly further north than me, and me questioning my climate for them. You Harvestman are THE ONLY one I've heard cast so many negative comments towards Liberty...and you are someone whose opinion I value greatly. I read a TON of online data and although I've heard the usual few so-so comments toward Liberty, I've read a innumerable amount of reports on MB's just like this one from people who love them. Not folks with one tree, but from those who have Cox's OP, Gravenstein, Esops Spitzenburg, Honeycrisp and on and on, none of which from NY who overvalue old Geneva introductions. Most every reporting agency ranks them very highly. Is it all BS...are they just promoting them because of their DR..because their relatively new...what? Maybe the green mov't? Maybe they are placing a value on their sure cropping, DR and ability to fulfill what the planter has in mind. Taking all this into context with the flavor delivered? I'm just asking because mostly what I've read or at least the median of it turns out to be true. You tell a fully contradictory story, yet you've grown them and ate them and are a knowledgeable apple guy. I don't know what to think. I CAN with all certainty tell you this: Macintosh is garbage when planted here...you mention PC magnet...pffft. Unremarkable?...Average?...that's a Mac. Aromatic? Sure...all apples become more aromatic as they become mealy rubbish. Mac is an Ace in this regard...it goes soft faster than I do. The Macintosh is going by the way of RD...not as fast, nor should it, but it will never hold the title of esteemed heirloom. "X" number of years from now it will be the DR varieties and perhaps Liberty or, as you say Goldrush that will hold that noble honor. I still think that (based on my exhaustive study) that Liberty is a super recommendation for anyone who identifies themselves as a "newbie" and wants to grow a apple tree in their backyard...particularly when that individual has expressed a liking for Empire. Harvestman, do you think we'll see the day when a "across the board" DR variety can equal or trump the eating qualities of a Honeycrisp. Such an introduction would revolutionize the apple growing industry. You listening Monsanto? Until then...we'll work with what we have. I like you Harvestman...don't get mad at me if we don't agree on an apple...ok? This post was edited by Appleseed70 on Tue, Jul 15, 14 at 1:21

need pictures please