Tree Fruit Newsletter — January 9, 2025
In this newsletter:
- Notes on peach hardiness
- Cold Weather Concerns
- Cider Apple Pruning Series
- Upcoming meetings and webinars
- Winter Meeting of the Maine State Pomological Society
- Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium
- Cornell Fruit Winter Webinar Series
- March Tree Fruit Preseason Meeting
Peach Bud Hardiness This Winter
We measured flower bud hardiness in mid-December in 20 varieties grown at Highmoor Farm. All varieties had at least 50% survival at -6 °F. Four varieties had 30% to 40% survival to -13 °F (Coralstar, Glowingstar, Messina and PF15A), but most varieties had 20% or less at this temperature. All buds were dead after being exposed to -17 °F.
It is likely that most of our varieties are still dormant and unlikely to respond to any warm temperatures at this time.
Cold Weather Concerns
Most of the time I am concerned about how the cold weather affects our trees, but this week, I think we should consider our employees. It’s pruning season, but the wind chill factor has made it difficult to be outside. Consider postponing outdoor work when the temperatures make it uncomfortable or dangerous to be outside for extended periods of time. Here is the link to the website for OSHA guidelines for working outdoors in cold weather: Working Safely in Cold Weather (PDF from OSHA)
Cider Apple Pruning Series on ENYCHP YouTube Channel
Last winter, Dr. Greg Peck and Mike put together six videos on pruning tall spindle cider apples. While he focused on cider varieties like Porter’s Perfection, Harry Master’s Jersey, and Piel de Sapa, many of these pruning principles also translate to fresh varieties and would be a good refresher for your pruning crews. The full playlist can be viewed here: Cider Pruning Playlist
Winter Meeting of the Maine State Pomological Society
The winter meeting will be held at the Maine Ag Trades Show on January 15, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Howard Room at the Augusta Civic Center. We will have a special guest, Maria Gannett who is new to Extension and will be talking about her research on weed control. I am looking forward to seeing you all again and hope you are able to attend.
The website with the full schedule: State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show: Maine DACF
Two pesticide applicator recertification credits will be offered for attending the morning session.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. — Welcome and Introductions
9:15 a.m. — Grower panel, favorite/least favorite pieces of orchard equipment
9:30 a.m. — 2024 Apple Pest Review and Outlook for 2025; Glen Koehler, University of Maine
Each year brings unique challenges and opportunity for apple growers and 2024 was no different. Glen Koehler will discuss the key pest, fruit development, and weather events observed in 2024, and also some looks ahead at tools to use to protect against pest damage in 2025.
10:00 a.m. — Break
10:15 a.m. — Managing Weeds in Perennial Crops; Dr. Maria Gannett, University of Massachusetts
Perennial weeds often become difficult to manage in perennial cropping systems. Dr. Gannett will present results from trials at Cornell and UMass, on the topic of attempting to manage bindweed in apple and blueberry orchards and optimal times for control.
11:15 a.m. — Board of Pesticides Control Update
11:45 a.m. — Maine State Pomological Society Annual Meeting; Sam Ricker, President
- Announcements – Labor, regulations and other issues to be aware of
- Election of a new president and vice president
- Summer Tour location
- Committee reports
12:00 p.m. — Lunch, on your own. Bring a lunch and join us in the meeting room.
1:15 p.m. — Erin Cocca, Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Maine NRCS Partner Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
1:45 p.m. — Break
2:15 p.m. — Joint meeting with the Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, Ft. Western room.
Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium
This winter, we will be hosting the webinar series in New England and eastern New York. Topics include marketing, weed management, apple scab, bitter rot, and new research on cold hardiness in apple rootstocks and peach varieties. Some of the sessions will offer pesticide applicator recertification credits. For more information and to register, visit the Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium webpage.
Sessions will be held (see specific dates below) from noon to 1:30 p.m. Pesticide credit(s) will be available for indicated sessions. Pre-registration is required.
- February 12, 2025 — Brian Moyer, Penn State Extension will discuss “10 Common Marketing Mistakes”. No recertification credits offered.
- February 19, 2025 — Dr. Maria Gannett, UMass Extension Fruit and Vege Weed Specialist will discuss “Basic Orchard Weed ID and Management”. Pesticide credits pending.
- February 26, 2025 — Dr. Anna Wallis, Senior Extension Associate, NYS Integrated Pest Management and Dr. Kerik Cox, Associate Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell AgriTech will dig into “Why Did My Scab Program Fail in 2024?”. Pesticide credits pending.
- March 5, 2025 — Dr. Srdjan Acimovic Assistant Professor, Tree Fruit and Specialty Crop Pathologist at Virginia Tech University. This presentation will cover the biology and environmental conditions that favor bitter rot on apples; the cultural, fungicidal, and other management options to reduce losses; and new areas of research to understand and minimize this important apple disease.
- March 12, 2025 — Dr. Jason Londo, Associate Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Cornell AgriTech “Understanding Cold Hardiness Risks in Fruit Crops”, and Renae Moran, University of Maine “Update on Cold Hardiness in the New Peach Variety Trial”.
Cornell Fruit Winter Webinar Schedule
Please save the date for six upcoming bi-weekly lunch hour webinars happening on Fridays this January through March. Webinars hosted by CCE ENYCHP, NYSIPM, CCE Harvest NY, and CCE LOFP.
Week 1: Digging in to Pruning and Soil Health
Speakers: Mario Miranda Sazo (CCE LOFP) and Dr. Debbie Aller (Cornell CALS)
Friday January 17, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm
Week 2: Cider Apples – Mechanized Harvesting and Patulin Food Safety
Speakers: Dr. Greg Peck (Cornell CALS) and Dr. Randy Worobo (Cornell CALS)
Friday January 31, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm
Speakers: Liz Higgins (CCE ENYCHP), Josh Morgenthau (Fish Kill Farms), Jim Bittner (Bittner-Singer Orchard, and Kevin Clark (Rose Hill Farm)
Friday February 14, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm
Week 4: Biopesticides and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Berries
Speaker(s): McKenzie Schessl (Cornell AgriTech) and Samantha Willden (Cornell AgriTech)
Friday February 28, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm
Week 5: St. Peachtrick’s Day: Stone Fruit Insect and Disease Management
Speakers: Dr. George Sundin (Michigan State University) and Brett Blaauw (University of Georgia)
Friday March 14, 2025 11:00am-12:30pm
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
March Tree Fruit Preseason Meeting
Tuesday, March 19, 2025
8:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Room 170, University of Southern Maine / Lewiston Auburn College, 51 Westminster Street, Lewiston ME
Preregistration is NOT required. The $30 registration fee is due at the door, but is waived for two people per member farm of the Maine State Pomological Society if dues are paid prior to the meeting. Membership dues will be accepted at the meeting but will not qualify for the registration fee waiver.
Attendance qualifies for 3 pesticide applicator recertification credits.
For the more information and the tentative agenda, visit the Preseason Tree Fruit Meeting page.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
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