Christine,
Maybe this is the problem, or similar to it.
Branch cankers:
Infected branches and twigs are often darker in color and the bark may appear sunken and cracked. If the bark is cut away from the infected branch reddish brown discoloration can be seen on the inner wood. Branch cankers can be avoided by pruning out infections that occur on young shoots.
Susan,
Johnathons and Yellow Delicious are a very good cooking apple. Johnathon has a a sweet/tart taste and The Y. Delicious are more sweet and also good for eating raw. Both are common apples and have been around a long time. There are many good apples tho. Miller Nurseries has many old time apples. I ordered a Famouse/Snow Apple from them because the flesh is white and good for apple sauce and cider. I grew up with one, but it wasn't my eating apple. I loved the Grimes Golden. I never expected to plant the Snow Apple, LOL!
Honey Crisp and Spetember Song, both fairly new, are THE best eating raw apples!
utsu too, but takes such a long growing season.
