Tree Fruit Newsletter — August 15, 2025
In this newsletter:
- Predicted Harvest Dates
- ReTain Timing
- Price Survey Results
- Peel Sap Calcium Results
- Fruit Maturity
Predicted Dates for McIntosh Harvest
Based on temperature after full bloom, the predicted date for the beginning of harvest for long-term storage of McIntosh is September 10 in the Augusta area. The predicted date for the end of harvest for storage is between September 25 and September 28. For orchards with a lighter than normal crop load, expect apples to ripen earlier than usual. Orchards in the Sanford area have a predicted beginning of harvest of September 11 and an end between September 23 and September 27.
Honeycrisp harvest is generally a few days after McIntosh harvest, but the light crop load may speed things up this year compared to past years. Because crop load has a large effect on ripening date in Honeycrisp, check each block to gauge fruit maturity.
ReTain Dates
We are approaching the time for the first application of ReTain which is useful for delaying the start of harvest. This timing corresponds with three weeks before anticipated first pick. Because of the dry weather, apples trees are likely under stress in unirrigated orchards. Stress will reduce the efficacy of ReTain.
To spread out the harvest window without delaying the start, apply ReTain one to two weeks before first pick. ReTain has a 7-day preharvest interval.
ReTain can be combined with NAA to prolong drop control, but I do not know if this will help ReTain work better during water stress. For McIntosh, apply Retain at the full rate with an NAA product at 10 ppm at three weeks before first harvest (check product label for product rate). A second application may be needed to prolong drop control of McIntosh. For information on Harvest Management and Pre-Harvest Fruit Drop, see the New England Tree Fruit Management Guide (UMass Amherst).
Price Survey Results for 2025
Thirteen farms responded and from nine counties.
Pick your own price per pound averaged for all farms reporting: $1.57
- $1.54 for PYO without the extras
- $1.68 for farms with added activities
- The high was $2.25 and the low was $1.00.
Farmstand price for one-peck bag (10 lbs.)
- $15.88 for traditional main-crop varieties
- $23.06 for premium varieties
- The high was $30 and the low was $12, excluding organic.
Peel Sap Analysis Results
Peel sap results indicate that calcium concentration in Honeycrisp apples is slightly lower than the two previous years. The prolonged drought could lead to elevated risk for bitter pit in storage. The dry weather keeps trees from taking up calcium from the soil, but also leads to fewer summer sprays of foliar calcium. Bitter pit developing in cold storage could be as severe as it was in 2022.
Soil Moisture Readings at Highmoor Farm
Orchard blocks are reading from -40 to -60 centibars at a soil depth of 8 inches, but these blocks were irrigated two weeks ago. In my experience, reading of -50 indicate the start of water stress, and -80 indicating severe moisture deficit. Blocks not previously irrigated are reading outside the range of the tensiometers.
Visible signs of water stress are evident in unirrigated blocks. Leaf folding or wilting and small fruit size can be seen in some of our apple and peach trees. This could have carry-over effects for next year if it impacts flower bud development.
Fruit Maturity at Highmoor Farm
Early peaches have been harvested. Fruit size was well below average and has made the peel seem fuzzier. Flavor has been far better than average. Without the rain, there has been very little cracking, split pits or brown rot.
The donut peaches TangOs and BuenOs2 will be ready to pick early next week. Our earliest peaches, Desiree, Summer Serenade, July Rose and PF 8-Ball were picked this week. After that, I expect PF15A and Starfire to be next.
Early apples are ripe (Pristine is the only one we have).
Starch index in Paualred is 2.2 indicating that starch breakdown has begun. There were no signs of preharvest fruit drop from stress, but perhaps a few fruit that had been pushed off by other apples. Half the Paulareds had watercore, a sign of insufficient calcium and high temperatures.
Renae Moran
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits
PO Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
(207) 933-2100
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