Forgot to attach link to images.

Here is a link that might be useful: Citrus tree link

It's not scale, it is black birds pecking on the fruit. Scale looks like small limpets on the underside of leaves or on the branches. Scale is easily killed with dormant oil. When was the last time you fertilized? Do you let grass grow close to the tree trunks?

Here is a link that might be useful: mrtexas

I fertilize every two months right now, and I just fertilized a week ago. I am now letting the grass grow by the tree trunks so my dog does not dig into the mulch anymore. I assume I should have left the fruit on the tree, but it's the first year in the ground anyways so I think it was fine to remove it anyways.

It is best to remove the grass in an 8 foot circle around the tree. Citrus trees do not compete well with grass and will be stunted or not grow at all.

Call your County Extension Agent. They should be able to help.

We have snails and slugs out here that eat the peel of lemons. They leave round marks very similar to what you had. Since your tree is young, it may be good for its growth that you removed the fruit. It was difficult, but I did the same with my baby grapefruit tree.

That just doesn't look like scale to me. I think that I suggested that you contact your local extension office...they should be able to help with the citrus AND the apple. You might be able to call them and simply email your images...since they are pretty good....rather than take samples in. Hopefully, you purchased your citrus in-state. If not, they will want to know who, when, where, and how.

At the top of the attached link, you'll be able to click and visit a page that will help you find the location contact information of your local office.

Ryan, keep us up to date on what you find out, please.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fact sheets

I concur. This looks either like bird or snail damage, not scale. And the advice to call your county extension officer will resolve any doubt. You can also bring in a fruit to your local garden center to get some feedback as well, but I would not be too hasty in yanking anything quite yet until you get an official diagnosis.

Patty S.

I went ahead and followed your advice last Wednesday but still have not heard back. How long does it typically take to get a response?

Okay I got the response from the local extension office and here is the diagnosis:

"The pictures of actual fruit are showing symptoms of bird damage. Grackles and Starlings will visit the fruit when about the size of a dime and peck, scratch and scar the fruit to cover themselves with citrus oil which serves as a mite repellent. Unless you cover the tree at that time of the year with a bird netting, there is not much you can do. See: http://www.plantanswers.com/citrus_damaged.htm .

The brown spots on your apple leaves are caused by a fungus of some sort. Most any fruit tree can be sprayed with Captan fungicide solution. Follow the label directions.

Also, even some of the healthy leaves are yellowing, which indicates nutrient deficiency. Several things can cause the symptoms: 1) lack of enough nutrients in the soil; or 2) a root system that is not pulling in the available nutrients because of drought stress, too much water, and competition from weeds/turf grass. Even the fungal spots on the leaves may be worsened by a nutrient-stress issue. First, you may want to check the soil pH and nutrient level by submitting a soil test. Second, remove all weeds/turf grass 18" to 24" out from the main trunk and apply a light layer of an organic mulch such as leaves, dried grass clipping (from grass that hasn�t been sprayed with a broad-leaf weed killer). Third, monitor soil moisture to make sure that the trees are not too dry, nor too wet.

Also, dried leaves on a living stem is a good indication of soil/moisture stress. Dried/dead leaves on a dead stem may indicate a canker or gall or wood boring beetle issue.

Call my office at 281-342-3034, and ask for ext. 7029 for a soil test bag and form.

-Vincent Mannino"

The link to the pictures still works if you want a visual summary of my issues.

Thanks for the advice....

Isn't that interesting about birds using the oils as a repellent? Citrus oil is used to repel many different kinds of crawlies....crazy that birds have known it all along.

The Extension agents are really an utilized service. Go to the office sometime. They will have loads of information on just everything.

I am SO glad that you didn't use a systemic pesticide on your plants! Yikes. Have you been researching how to deter birds (a common issue with tree fruits of all kinds) in the future?

What's the problem with a systemic? I have Bayer Citrus & Veg drench that is Imidacloprid and there is no harvest interval on the label for citrus. The label is the law. Somebody had better tell Bayer and the EPA that it is bad thing. Maybe a lawsuit is in order! If it was all that bad then every dog and cat that had Advantage flea drops applied would be dead by now since it is also Imidacloprid. And if you put it on your dog and pet them then it is all over you, and your house.

Because, fairfield, you want to select the right method to solve the problem. And, take an integrated approach to pest management, which means use the least toxic approach to solve the problem, first, AFTER you have identified the problem. Imidacloprid can be harmful to bees, so if you're having to resort to an insecticide, apply after flower drop to save the bees. Applying Imidacloprid wouldn't have done a thing to prevent the birds from pecking her fruits. And, "the label is the law"? Just because Bayer and the EPA says something is safe, doesn't mean it is so. The chemical companies and the EPA said that about DDT. Let's not cause flames, here. Rhizo is right - take the least toxic path, first, and always, always identify what you're dealing with so the treatment matches the issue.

Patty S.

I knew it must have been birds. I did not spray my trees with anything, but I do have plenty of black netting made for birds. I was using it on the garden since they took out my tomato plants so I should have known better.

I ate some of the meyer lemons after they turned yellow and they were very dried out. I think the birds might have damaged them too much and the air somehow seeped in. Thanks for all of the support and advice.