Tree Fruit Newsletter — April 24, 2025
Bud development has progressed from silver tip to green tip and is probably beyond green tip in southern Maine. This is the traditional time to begin fungicide sprays to prevent apple scab in McIntosh and other highly susceptible varieties. It’s also the time for the copper spray which functions as a micronutrient fertilizer, fungicide and antibiotic. There is a short window of time in which to apply the copper spray without adverse effects on fruit finish, so if you miss the window, skip it until next year.
Here is the link to the New England Tree Fruit Management Guide table for Green Tip
Peach buds have also begun to develop at this time. When temperatures remain cool, peach bud development coincides with apples, so that they reach full bloom about the same time. This simplifies sprays around the time of petal fall. When temperatures are warm, peaches will reach full bloom ahead of apples. Other stone fruits (cherry, plum, apricot) will bloom ahead of apple trees.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
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