Help identify Granny Smith apple tree problems?!?

Ok so I bought a few different varieties of Apple trees this Spring to add to my home orchard and hunting plots. Almost every new tree just bloomed out on the tips of the branches only and that's how they continue to grow, some buds periodically pop out and try to grow leaves and its August now, is this because of stress or? the trees all flowered where the growth popped out earlier in the spring but seemed to struggle all year. I have sprayed my whole orchard a few times with neem oil for pests etc. I just walked out to my orchard and took this picture to try to get a idea of what to do, I've picked up some Southern AG Liquid Copper Fungicide but not sure if this is the right approach, any idea what is causing my leaves to look this way?

Scott, do you live where cedar-type trees grow?

Maybe taking some leaves to your County Extension Agent might confirm what is going on.

That looks like Cedar Rust damage to me:

https://permies.com/t/139183/wrong-Apple-Tree-Granny-Smith

https://permies.com/t/145863/Brown-rusty-colour-spots

https://permies.com/t/172881/Transplant

Maybe someone else might know what is going on.

Thanks for your reply, I have 80 acres of pine plantation in North Mississippi, there are surely cedars spread out here and there. I didn't realize that cedar rust could be so damaging. I definitely need to get with my county about this. I was hoping there was a cure all but what I've learned with orchards is there is no such thing lol I have 3 young orchards (year 3 in my ground for most trees) with various mid to late season apple varieties. I also have pear trees and peach/ plum. I fight Japanese beetles every year and if I make it through that I declare victory. I'd love to know what to look for to better help my orchard be healthy and prosper. Any tips is appreciated. I really wish I knew of a safe spraying regimen that would help me midigate problems before they happen!

I have heard to cut down the cedar tree that is causing the problem.  We have 40 acres and I have never seen a cedar that is oozing/looks like it has rust.

We only had one tree when we found out about rust.  We replace it with something that was not supposed to get rust though it did not do well either. Dear hubby just finally gave up and got out of the fruit tree business.

Thanks for the info! Fruit trees are definitely tougher then my Chinese chestnuts and sawtooth oaks I've planted. It's almost best to find established trees and go the cuttings/grafting route to make a orchard with, I just don't have access to many of those type of trees sadly.

Organic dormant sprays such as Neem Oil or Soapy water can help with this issue on your Granny smith apple tree

Anne Miller wrote:Scott, do you live where cedar-type trees grow?

Maybe taking some leaves to your County Extension Agent might confirm what is going on.

That looks like Cedar Rust damage to me:

https://permies.com/t/139183/wrong-Apple-Tree-Granny-Smith

https://permies.com/t/145863/Brown-rusty-colour-spots

https://permies.com/t/172881/Transplant

Maybe someone else might know what is going on.

Junipers also carry this (also called "red cedar").  I lost a number of apple trees and other types of trees not realizing the junipers all over my property were known disease carriers.  
I cut 20+ of junipers down last year and I'm hoping my three remaining apple trees will recover.

Yes, Cris

My cedar-type trees are known as Junipers though I don't feel they are red cedars.

Does any one know what kind of junipers grow in Texas?  I think I have forgotten this.

Anne Miller wrote:Yes, Cris

My cedar-type trees are known as Junipers though I don't feel they are red cedars.

Does any one know what kind of junipers grow in Texas?  I think I have forgotten this.

I'm not sure if other types of juniper carry cedar apple rust, the best thing to do would be to look at your junipers and see if you spot any "teliohorns"
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/gymnosporangium_juniperi-virginianae.shtml

We have already been through the cedar rust on fruit trees so we eliminated that problem.