Apple blossom wilt

I've just assumed that bunches of brown leaves mean the stem has snapped so I cut them off (if I can reach). Never thought about it being a problem.

So did I and because I would need a ladder  to prune all the dead bits, I was lazy and didn't bother.   The fungus is also associated with brown rot on the fruit.  I didn't pick all of those off either.  Now I'm paying the price.