Tree Fruit Newsletter — July 8, 2025
In this newsletter:
- Sweet Cherry Harvest
- Soil Moisture Measurements at Highmoor
- Leaf Sampling Time
- Time to Order Custom-Budded Trees
- Summer Tour Agenda
Sweet Cherry Harvest
Sweet cherry harvest is underway at Highmoor Farm, but with abundant brown rot despite the lack of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) in our traps. Sweet cherries usually have red flesh when ripe and can be picked by color. Keep in mind that cherries and blueberries do not continue to ripen after harvest, unlike apples.
Soil Moisture Measurements at Highmoor
Soil moisture sensors indicate that soils are drying out and will need irrigation if it does not rain soon. Soils in Maine vary a great deal in ability to hold moisture. Trees in shallow or sandy soil will dry out quickly, and this is evident where trees are weaker than in other parts of the same block. Trees in sandy or shallow soils will need water sooner than trees in better soils.
Leaf Sampling
Mid to late July is the time to collect leaves for nutritional analysis, an important step in planning next year’s fertilizing. If you have a large number of orchard blocks to test, it’s best to start soon. Begin in orchards where shoots have set a terminal bud and are no longer growing in length. When this happens, the level of nitrogen has stabilized and is representative of the nitrogen status in the tree. Sampling before this will lead to an overestimate, and sample too late will result in a low reading. The procedure for collecting leaves has not changed. Leaf sample form and instructions can be found below.
Ordering Custom-Budded Trees
Nurseries will be taking orders now and to the end of the month for custom-budded trees for planting in 2027. This is the best way to ensure that the nursery has the variety and rootstock combination that you want. It’s also a good time to order trees for 2026 because the best trees will be sold to those who reserve them first.
Summer Tour Agenda
Maine Pomological Society Summer Tour at Cooper Farms in Monmouth
155 Norris Hill Road, Monmouth ME 04259
July 9, 2025
9:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
The Maine State Pomological Society and Cooper family cordially invite you to attend this year’s Summer Tour to be held at Cooper Farms at their Monmouth facility. To RSVP, call Renae Moran at (207) 713-7083 (or email at rmoran@maine.edu) by July 1. Preregistration is not required, but is certainly appreciated. Cost to attend the Summer Tour is $30. Admission for two grower-members or one associate member is included with annual dues. To pay dues, please contact Margie Hansel, the Society secretary (mhansel@maine.rr.com).
One credit pesticide applicator recertification pending BPC approval.
Agenda
9:30 a.m. — Welcome and Registration
10:00 a.m. — Tour of the packing house with Karen Killian and Cooper Farms staff.
10:45 a.m. — Hillary Peterson, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the IPM Council of Maine.
Supporting Fruit Growers through IPM: Updates, Resources, and Opportunities. Hillary Peterson, Integrated Pest Management Specialist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, will provide an overview of the Maine IPM Council and its work on behalf of farmers across the state. She will also highlight current IPM resources and priorities relevant to the tree fruit industry, with room for discussion about emerging needs and opportunities for grower involvement. Hillary completed her Ph.D. at Penn State University, where her research focused on biological control of brown marmorated stink bug in apple, peach, and cherry orchards.
11:15 a.m. — Advertising with Anne Trenholm Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Jennifer Geiger, Maine Department of Tourism.
11:45 a.m. — Pomological Society reports from standing committees
Noon to 1:00 — Lunch
1:00 p.m. — Orchard Tour
The Monmouth orchard features Gala, Honeycrisp and its high-coloring strains, high density orchards, dwarfing rootstocks, and great views of the surrounding area.
- The Eco Apple program in action. Their website: For Growers – Red Tomato
- Glen Koehler, UMaine Extension, Apple IPM updates and what to look out for in late summer.
Directions to Cooper Farms — 155 Norris Hill Road, Monmouth, ME 04259
From the north and east:
I95 Exit 109b, go West on Rte. 202 (toward Winthrop) for 16 miles. Turn left on Norris Hill Road. Cooper Farms is on the left, a short distance past the Highmoor Farm orchards. Alternate routes exist.
From the south and west:
I95 exit 86, left on Rte. 9 and continue 0.7 miles, then take a right onto Pleasant Hill Road for 0.8 miles. Continue through the stoplight where the road becomes Rte. 132 (Wales Rd. and then Pond Rd.) for 4.6 miles. Take left onto Leeds Junction Road, travel 2.9 miles to Rte. 202. Take a right onto Rte. 202 and go 1.5 miles to the Norris Hill Road, and take a right. Cooper Farms is on the left, a short distance past the Highmoor Farm orchards.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product, nor does it imply approval or disapproval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable.
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