My apple tree is looking awful- any advice you wise gardening people?

[FadedRed]

I have a little apple tree, about 25 years old, which usually has loads of fruit. I noticed this today and it’s all over the tree. Please advice me what to do. TIA

If you unfurl the leaves are there aphids underneath? Looks like an aphid infestation to me but am not an expert.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear
Thanks for response. I unfurled several and found no aphids, I did find two harlequin ladybird larvae on one of the leaves though, so that might indicate that there had been aphids for them to prey on, IYSWIM?

I have this on my apple tree too. I looked it up last year and it is some kind of infestation. I cut out the diseased bits and it looked better, but it has come back again this year, so obviously I didn't get rid of all of it.

It could be an infestation by moth caterpillars. I see in your photo that leaves are curled and there are silken threads on the reverse, which many caterpillars use to pull leaves together to protect themselves from predators.

There could also be damage by aphids. Their piercing mouthparts create wounds that bacteria, virus and fungal diseases can enter the plant's system, and also causes new growth to be distorted and more vulnerable to disease.

It's difficult with apple trees as chemical controls are awkward to apply to a large plant like a tree and often aren't suitable for use on crop plants which are intended to be eaten.

I've hardly seen any ladybird larvae this year, only one, so you're doing better than I am with your two...

Thank you for your responses.
I’m reluctant to spray anything on it, so will cut off all the affected bits and see what happens.