Tree Fruit Newsletter — May 9, 2025
In this newsletter:
- Bud Stages
- Announcement
Flower Bud Development at Highmoor Farm
McIntosh apples have passed tight cluster and have reached the early stage of pink. Honeycrisp and Gala trees are in the late stage of tight cluster, but king blooms are showing pink.
Asian pears are showing some white. European pears were under an REI and could not be seen from the orchard perimeter.
Some peaches are at the balloon stage and others still at the red bud stage. Selena, an early-to-bloom variety had some flowers open. Autumnstar, another variety that blooms early had no flower bud survival this year.
Sweet cherries are in full bloom. Sour cherries are showing some white, and Balaton is at the balloon stage.
Asian plums are in full bloom. European plums are at the balloon stage. American hybrids are at the white bud stage.
Apricots are at petal fall.
The cold weather has slowed down bloom but kept bees out of the orchard. Warm weather is predicted, so I expect most trees to be in bloom next week, and hopefully with favorable conditions for pollination.
An Announcement
The Maine Board of Pesticides Control, in cooperation with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, are offering a free, virtual recertification training: Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act.
The training will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
This program is approved for three pesticide applicator recertification credits. To earn recertification credits, attendees must pass a quiz after the program.
This webinar will be hosted via Zoom. Registration is required. Participants will receive a Zoom link and passcode after registering.
The link to register for this event: Pesticides and the Endangered Species Act
If you have any questions contact the Board of Pesticides Control at pesticides@maine.gov or (207) 287-2731.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
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