Tree Fruit Maturity Report — September 19, 2025

Maturity Report

Peaches

We harvested Messina peaches this week. Fruit size was better than expected considering how dry it’s been and the fact that they were watered only twice and insufficiently. Only two varieties remain unharvested, Selena and Autumnstar. These two are among the latest to ripen in the Adams County Nursery.

Pears

Our green pears are ripening on the tree and have reached a stage where they develop internal browning in cold storage. If left on the tree, they will continue to ripen and be ready to market soon. Flesh firmness ranged from 10 to 15 lbs. Our purple pears were ready to eat this week and had no firmness left.

Apples

McIntosh maturity in one block of spur-type Macs at Highmoor Farm has reached a stage where apples should not be put in long-term storage. Fruit drop in the orchard occurred with gentle limb shaking, less than 10%, but there were apples already on the ground. The other block showed no sign of fruit drop. The DA (see table below) reading has dropped below 1.70 which is consistent with where it was at the end of the harvest window for storage two years ago. None of our Mac blocks were treated with ReTain.

In the standard strain of Macs, there was no fruit drop with limb shaking. They may still be suitable for long-term storage, particularly with an application of 1-MCP.

Honeycrisp is still ok for putting in storage on average, but ripening was still inconsistent among different blocks. This variety has become mature enough to be highly susceptible to chilling injury in cold storage, so continue to condition apples first for 5 to 7 days. Pay attention to temperatures in cold storage. They should remain above 36 ºF for best protection against chilling injury.

Cortland is starting to ripen in some blocks and is nearing the stage when it is best for long-term storage. This variety is prone to superficial scald and bitter pit, both of which are more severe when fruit are harvested too soon.

Macoun, Golden Delicious and Empire showed no change in ripening in the last few days.

Fuji showed some advance in ripening, but this variety ripens late.

Sweet 16 at Highmoor Farm is at a good stage for harvesting for storage, but flavor will improve with more ripening. Ripening is very uneven, so spot-picking is recommended. This variety will become mealy in storage if harvested late.

Crimson Crisp should have been picked last week for storage, but is at peak maturity this week. Ripening of this variety is ahead of normal compared to in the past, probably because of the light crop load. The trees are located in a remote part of the farm, so have not been previously measured this year.

Summerset tasted ready to pick yesterday. This is a new variety that I like.

Rosalee will be ready to pick soon. This is another new one that I like.

Evercrisp has a long way to go, but is known for being very late.

* DA is a measure of chlorophyll breakdown in the peel which parallels ripening. Numbers decrease as fruits ripen. Gala and Honeycrisp readings between 0.8 and 0.3 indicate sufficient maturity for storage. McIntosh DA has not closely followed harvest maturity in years past and remains much higher than in other varieties. Cortland and Macoun DA, in the past, has decreased below 1.5 during the harvest window.

 

The following is a rough guide to what the starch index numbers mean for apple ripening:

1 – 2: indicates lack of starch breakdown and generally unripe.

3: partially ripe, but prone to disorders in long-term storage.

4: typically ready to pick for long-term storage.

5 – 6: indicates good flavor and ready for general harvest or harvest for short-term storage.

7 – 8: indicates fully ripe, too ripe for long-term storage.

Soil Testing Instructions

In case you missed the window for leaf testing, there is still time for a soil test. Soil samples can be collected anytime that the soil is not frozen. Soil tests are recommended once every three years. Soil pH normally decreases over time and tends to be too acidic in Maine. Honeycrisp soil pH should be close to 7. For other varieties 6.5 is high enough.

Soil sampling Instructions

1. The soil should be a composite or mixture of 10 to 15 separate samplings scattered over each block. Each block should be uniform in weed control, soil texture, fertility and past soil management.
2. Use a sampling tube, augur or spade, take the soil from within the tree row and to a depth of 8 inches.
3. Place the composite sample in a container and mix thoroughly. Transfer soil to the Soil Testing Box and fill it fully. Boxes are available from the Highmoor Farm. You may use a plastic bag or another small box is soil is dry.
4. Label the box with the orchard name, block name and your phone number or address.

Each soil sample must be accompanied by the Plant and Soil Analytical Lab form (call or email me if you need a paper copy).

The lab now accepts credit card payments. Visit their website for more info:

Leaf and soil samples can be brought directly to Highmoor Farm or mailed to:

Highmoor Farm

PO Box 179

Monmouth, ME 04259

They can also be mailed directly to the Soil Testing Lab in Orono:

Analytical Laboratory and Maine Soil Testing Service

5722 Deering Hall

Orono, ME 04469-5722

 

Renae Moran

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits

PO Box 179

Monmouth, ME 04259

(207) 933-2100

rmoran@maine.edu

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