Apple Tree Pruning

Pruning and training deciduous fruit trees are performed primarily to increase fruit production and develop a strong tree framework of optimum size and shape. Pruning is necessary to maintain tree health, vigor and productivity throughout the life of the home orchard. Benefits of pruning and training include:

• Aid in the establishment of newly planted trees
• Enhance early productivity
• Increase fruit size and quality
• Promote flower bud development throughout the tree canopy
• Promote development of new fruiting wood needed to maintain productivity
• Reduce the tendency for biennial bearing
• Reduce incidence and spread of certain diseases
• Facilitate spraying, fruit thinning and harvesting

The best time to prune apple trees is in the winter, promoting tree growth during the growing season. Apple trees that have reached desired size can be pruned in summer, hindering future growth.

Plum Tree Pruning

Pruning is recommended to preserve or improve tree structure, heartiness and life-span. Prune plum trees right after flowering to promote vigor. If controlling tree size, it is best to prune in the winter.

Pruning can reduce specific defects or structural problems in a tree to greatly lessen the risk of failure. Broken, diseased, or dead branches are typically removed in order to prevent decay-producing fungi from infecting the wood in other areas of the tree.

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Removal of live branches is occasionally necessary to allow increased exposure to sunlight and circulation of air within the canopy. This assists in reduction of certain diseases. We also advocate the removal of branch stubs to promote successful and proper healing over of wounds.

Apple Tree Care

Spring flowers, summer shade and delicious fruit are just some of the wonderful benefits of owning an apple tree. These trees prefer dry, warm climates and moist, loamy soil. Fruit is produced by the pollination of the tree's flowers. Because many apple trees do not self-pollinate, a variety of apple trees that bloom at the same time need to be planted to encourage self-pollination and fruit production. An apple tree will usually bear fruit in its fourth or fifth year. Fruit comes in many sizes and colors and is best eaten right off the tree.

Best Time & Location to Plant - Apple trees are best planted in late fall or early spring, in a location with wind block to help the fruit from falling off before maturity.

Size of Tree - Apple trees can grow to about 40 feet, but also come in dwarf varieties which are easier to maintain.

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Apple Tree Care

Apple trees unfortunately are susceptible to many insect and disease issues and require special attention. By properly controlling insects and disease, fertilizing and regularly pruning the trees you can enjoy the beauty and fruit of this tree on your landscape for years.  



During the early spring and summer fungicide applications are essential to prevent disease and produce healthy, high quality fruit.
At the beginning of the growing season horticultural oils should also be used to smother scale insects and reduce over wintering populations of aphid and mite eggs.

All dead or diseased branches should be pruned, and any dried up apples, fallen leaves and plant debris should be removed away from trees.

Plum Tree Diseases and Pests

There are several damaging diseases and pests that affect plum trees. Some of the most common are:

Black Knot – This is probably the most serious and widespread of the diseases that affect plum trees. This disease causes hard black long knots to form on smaller branches, often killing them. If left untreated, growth will be stunted and the entire tree will eventually die. Immediate pruning of diseased areas can help stop the spread of the disease.

Plum Pox Virus (PPV) – This disease is spread by aphids and attacks fruit bearing plum trees.  Infected fruit can develop brown or yellow rings or blotches and may deform the fruit. The quality and quantity of the fruit production is dramatically reduced.

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Brown Rot – This fungus infects blossoms, fruit and small branches. Signs include cankers, fruit rot and blight.  Powdery, brown gray tufts can be seen on the twigs or fruit especially when wet.

Plum Rust Mites – These pests range in color from yellow to pinkish-white or purple. Leaves of infected plum trees turn silver and start to curl up.

Plum Tree Care

The purple-leaved plum tree is a dramatic ornamental tree. It is usually selected for its abundant and stunning display of pink flowers and lush reddish-purple leaves. It is particularly showy because flowers bloom early in the spring before foliage appears. The plum tree's richly colored leaves are 1-1/2 to 3 inches long and are present throughout most of the growing season, making a lovely contrast and enhancement to the landscape. Some people do opt to purchase the fruit bearing variety, which produces small purple plums. A fast grower, the plum tree has an upright form with a lovely rounded and dense canopy. For best results, tree should be positioned in full sun and well-drained, acidic soil.

Plum Tree Care

Plum trees are susceptible to several stresses and insect and disease issues. By properly controlling insects and disease, fertilizing, watering and regularly pruning the trees, you can encourage tree health and enjoy the beauty of this tree on your landscape for years.

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At the beginning of the growing season horticultural oils should also be used to smother scale insects and reduce over wintering populations of aphid and mite eggs. Plum trees are also susceptible to Japanese beetle attacks. Preventative and curative treatments are available to ward off this pest.
Newly planted trees benefit from ArborKelp® - SavATree’s exclusive seaweed biostimulant which aids in tree establishment, promotes root growth and heightens stress tolerance.

Mature and established plum trees benefit from fertilizer feedings of organic-based macro and micronutrients for the nutrition necessary to sustain their health.

Cherry Tree Care, Cherry Tree Pruning & Cherry Tree Disease Treatments

In addition to their wonderful fruit, many property owners grow cherry trees for their spectacular spring flowers. Cherry trees can have a graceful weeping form or attractive upright canopy depending on the species. There are many cherry tree varieties to choose from. Most cherries produce pink to white flowers. Cherry tree leaves are also attractive in the fall. Bing sweet cherry trees produce large, delicious, deep red fruit. Bing sweet cherry trees begin to bear fruit in their fifth or sixth year, and once mature can yield up to 100 pounds of fruit.

Ornamental flowering cherry trees, such as the Kwanzan Cherry tree, Chinese Cherry tree, and Yoshino Flowering Cherry tree, are sterile and do not produce fruit, but are cultivated to be decorative by producing more abundant blossoms.

How to Grow: Cherry trees should be planted in early spring.  If growing cherries for their fruit, a cooler drier climate is best. One should plant varieties that bloom at the same time as successful pollination is necessary for a bountiful harvest. Cherry trees flourish in full sun and well-drained soil.
Size of Tree: Cherry trees are 20 to 30 feet high / 15 to 25 foot spread

Cherry Tree Care

Cherry trees are susceptible to many stresses, including insect problems and disease, such as cherry blight, making their life span around 20 years. However, by properly controlling insects and cherry tree disease, as well as watering, regular pruning, and using cherry tree fertilizer, you can enjoy the beauty and fruit of this tree on your landscape for years.

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At the beginning of the growing season horticultural oils should be used to smother scale insects and reduce over wintering populations of aphid and mite eggs. Cherry trees should also be pruned to remove dead and diseases branches and to control size.

Mature and established cherry trees benefit from fertilizer feedings of organic-based macro and micronutrients for the nutrition necessary to sustain their health and prevent cherry tree problems.

Cherry Tree Pruning

Pruning and training deciduous fruit trees are performed primarily to increase fruit production and develop a strong tree framework of optimum size and shape. This is especially important for a cherry tree which can grow faster than its body and limbs can actually support. Pruning is necessary to maintain tree health, vigor and productivity throughout the life of the home orchard.  Benefits of pruning and training include:

• Aid in the establishment of newly planted cherry trees
• Enhance early productivity
• Increase fruit size and quality
• Promote flower bud development throughout the cherry tree canopy
• Promote development of new fruiting wood needed to maintain productivity
• Reduce the tendency for biennial bearing
• Reduce incidence and spread of certain cherry tree diseases
• Facilitate spraying, fruit thinning and harvesting

Cherry Tree Diseases, Pests & Signs

There are several damaging diseases and pests that affect cherry trees. Some of the most common are:

Brown Rot – This fungus infects blossoms, fruit and small branches. Signs include cankers, fruit rot and blight.  Powdery, brown gray tufts can be seen on the twigs or fruit especially when wet.

Powdery Mildew – Fungal disease that attacks twigs and leaves. Signs are white patches on new leaves and premature dropping of leaves.

Cherry Leaf Spot – Fungus that primarily affects cherry tree leaves but can also attack twigs and stems. Look for dark colored spots on the leaves, leaf yellowing, premature dropping of leaves and white spots on leaves in wet weather. Cherry leaf spot is more prevalent in humid areas.

Black Cherry Aphid – These tiny soft bodied, black insects eat the leaves of the cherry tree causing them to become twisted, stunted and curled.  The aphids also secrete honeydew which may cause black fungus to grow. Severe infestations can kill young cherry trees and reduce quality and quantity of a mature tree's harvest.

Preventing Diseases in Fruit Trees

If you maintain any pitted fruit trees such as plums, peaches, or cherries, you already know that those types of trees are much more susceptible to diseases than any other type. While the fruits are delicious, it can be rather hard to live with all of the maladies that can plague the life of everyone who has ever grown one of those types of fruit trees.
 
The main disease that you will hear about the most is known as Brown Rot.. This is a fungus that attaches to many of the leftover fruits after the picking season is over. Not only does it look disgusting on the leftover fruits, but it also can come back on the newer fruits, rendering them inedible.
 
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To prevent this, you should prune your trees often to encourage good air circulation. Buildups of moisture are the main cause of the brown rot. Also when you are done picking for the season, you should get rid of all of the leftover fruits in the tree or on the ground.