HELP! My Apple trees are being attacked!

[Maggie13]

I would appreciate any help you can offer!

This first problem I had Identified as "Cedar Rust". Does it look like Cedar Rust to you?



Here you can see a different problem ( I think) It appeared quickly and I am not sure if I am doing the right treatment:
  As you can see the color is draining from the tip of the leaf back to the stem and the leaves are curling and some are starting to get brown and crispy.
I  see a few little tiny light green bugs. That when you shake the branch fly , fall or jump off so I have been spraying Neem oil thinking they are a type of Aphid. I have  also observed  ants on the tree which kind of makes me think they are aphids but they are not all bunched up on the new growth  like I am used to seeing They are sparsely located  on the underside of the curled leaves



It seems the new leaves are looking ok but what do you think?



 Should I continue with the Neem Oil ? Do I need to do something about the ants Like sprinkle with  DE?

What should I attack both or either of these problems with?

I would like to stay organic if possible but since the trees are very young and there are NO fruit on the trees  I suppose  it is not as critical.

[1shotwade]

Maggie that is cedar rust! I fight it every year. On the positive side, it does affect some varieties more than others. If I remember where I planted which variety, I think the tree it is affecting the most is either fuji, gala or red delicious. I am most inclined to say red delicious but am not sure.

The other problem is called ?? leaf curl. Can't remember the name but I will be following this thread so someone out there can fill us both in on that!
Wade

[Maggie13]

Thanks for confirming the Cedar Rust!
The types of apples are: Pink lady, Gala and Granny Smith.

Leaf Curl? as in a fungal disease? Something I can treat with a copper spray?

[Vince6424]

Hi Maggie, I think Wade is right, first photo seems to be a good match for Cedar rust. Other symptoms could be physiological or perharps fungal. Always hard to make an assesment on photo alone so I would need to discuss further with you.

 Your tree do not show any sign of Apple scab so that is good news 

[Maggie13]

Thanks Vincent Here is a closer look at the leaves loosing their color:

[Maggie13]

I think I have identified the tiny little light green bugs.  "Potato leafhoppers. I hung stop tape near the trees in hopes of one of them getting stuck on it so I can get a better look.