Fruit Tree Pest Update for 2013Fruit Tree Pest Update for 2013Robert Ll. Morris, Emeritus

University of Nevada Email: morrisr@unce.unr.edu

Questions: Extremehort@aol.comBlog: Xtremehorticulture of the Desert

The UNCE OrchardThe UNCE Orchard100 yards east of N. Decatur and Horse Drive, North Las Vegas100 yards east of N. Decatur and Horse Drive, North Las Vegas

1997: Over 600 fruit and nut trees, grapes, berries.2005: Nopales, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes2006: Wine grapes2007: Melons, asparagus2008: Tomatoes, sweet onions, garlic, melons2009: Herbs, hoophouse2010: Hops

Fruit trees include: almond, apple, apricot, cherry, figs, jujube, nectarine, peach, pear, Asian pear, persimmon, pistachio, plum, pomegranate, quince and interspecific hybrids such as pluots, apriums, plumcots.

Success of Fruit Trees in the DesertSuccess of Fruit Trees in the Desert

Success is due to: Desert climate Quality plant material Use of compost Whitewash Wood mulches Sanitation Protection from vermin Timely applications of fertilizers Appropriate irrigations Pest control when needed

Whitewash Reduces Borer DamageWhitewash Reduces Borer Damage Whitewash at time of

planting Most important: south and

west-facing trunk and limbs; upper surfaces of limbs

White or off-white latex paint diluted 50/50 (equal parts) water and paint

Reduces sunburn Reduces borer infestations

due to sunburn Renew every three to four

years

Compost at Planting Enhances GrowthCompost at Planting Enhances Growth

2006 compost on surface2007 compost incorporated

Staking = Faster EstablishmentStaking = Faster Establishment Staking is done to

immobilize the roots, not the top.

Stake low enough to allow the top to move but not the roots.

Stakes should be pounded deeply into solid soil at the bottom of the hole.

Staking should NEVER be needed to support plant canopy if plants are good quality.

Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth and Healthand Health

Wood mulch should be a variety of different chipped woods.

Mulch should be wood, not bark alone.

Mulch should be 4 to 6 inches deep.

Mulch should be kept 12 inches from tree trunks the first five years.

Using wood chipped from local trees does not increase insect or disease problems.

Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth Wood Mulch Improves Tree Growth in the First Seasonin the First Season

Wood surface mulch Wood surface mulch

No surface mulch

Rabbit Prone Areas Need Rabbit Rabbit Prone Areas Need Rabbit FencingFencing

Rabbit prone areas are near golf courses and open desert.

Both desert cottontail and jackrabbit will damage landscapes.

Trees trunks are prone to damage until five years old.

Tree limbs closer than 3 feet to the ground will be damaged by jackrabbits.

1 inch hexagonal chicken wire is adequate if the bottom edge is buried.

Water, Not Your Foot, is the Best Water, Not Your Foot, is the Best Way to Remove Air PocketsWay to Remove Air Pockets

Your foot damages roots if you stomp on the planting hole.

If soil is prepared well, water will remove air pockets and improve establishment speed.

Make sure to plant in a wet hole.

Basins around the plants force water deep into the root zone.

Regular Irrigations During Fruiting Regular Irrigations During Fruiting Improve Fruit QualityImprove Fruit Quality

Fruit growth follows double sigmoid curve.

Water is critical during these two growth phases for good fruit growth and size.

Fruit Growth

Summer Pruning Health and Fruit Production• Increases light inside

the tree canopy• Reduces interior limb

dieback• Distributes fruit

production all through the canopy

• Improves fruit quality• Helps keep the tree

dwarfed• March - April only• Remove only new

growth

Fertilizers Control Growth and Fertilizers Control Growth and Affect HealthAffect Health

Baseline and periodic soil tests should be done

Nitrogen most important for new growth and most limiting

Lawn fertilizer ratios are usually adequate (3-1-2)

Single application is done in late winter

Split application done in late winter and after harvest

Iron is needed for most fruit trees in the rose family

Best is iron in EDDHA chelated form applied in January

Insects and Pests That Can MoveInsects and Pests That Can MoveGeneral Pests Borers Birds Ground Squirrels RabbitsApples and Pears (Pome fruits) Coddling mothPeaches and Apricots Peach twig borerNectarines ThripsPomegranate, Almond and Pistachio Leaffooted plant bug

Sanitation Reduces Pest ProblemsSanitation Reduces Pest Problems

Ripe fruit attracts critters that attack fresh fruit on the tree

Fruit should be picked up as soon as possible when it falls

It should be buried in compost or sealed in containers

Borers Attack Nearly Any TreeBorers Attack Nearly Any Tree Borers damage landscape

and fruit trees Peaches and nectarines

worst borer problems in fruit trees

Borers can be present without noticeable damage

Merit labeled for borer control may not give you good PR

Prevention and sanitation will help reduce borer problems

Borer RemovalBorer Removal Loose bark is

removed with a knife during winter

Branches more than 50% dead are removed

Birds Feed on Ripe FruitBirds Feed on Ripe Fruit Birds normally damage soft

fruit ready to be harvested Harvest fruit as soon as

damage first appears or early when still firm

Ground SquirrelsGround Squirrels Ground squirrels will steal

or feed on almonds, pistachios, grapes, soft fruit, damaged pomegranates, vegetables and many others

Can be a serious problem Baits

Codling Moth Damages Apples and Codling Moth Damages Apples and PearsPears

Sanitation, pick up fallen fruit Pheremone traps Sprays of Bt or Spinosad

Wormy PeachesWormy Peaches

Wormy peaches, nectarines, apricots, almonds

Pheremone traps (different pheremone)

Sprays of Bt or Spinosad

Fruit Scarring on NectarineFruit Scarring on Nectarine

Nectarine fruit skin is horribly scarred and fruit deformed

Repeat weekly sprays of spinosad, soap, Neem as fruit develops

Leaffooted Plant BugLeaffooted Plant BugInsect From HellInsect From Hell

Any fruit but usually noticed on pomegranate

Causes nut drop in pistachio, blanks in almond, early fruit drop or deformed fruit in pomegranate

Usually seen in June when numbers have multiplied

Winged and can fly but not well Overwinter in the landscape Dormant oils, Sevin and

synthetic pyrethroids

DiseasesDiseasesNo disease agent (Abiotic)SunburnIron chlorosisBitter pit, corky spot

Disease agent (fungus or bacterium)Fireblight (bacterium)Shothole (Coryneum blight, fungus)

Sunburn – Fruit Likes Partial ShadeSunburn – Fruit Likes Partial Shade

Sunburn – apples, persimmons, others

Brown Spots in Apple Pear FleshBrown Spots in Apple Pear Flesh

Apple it is called “Bitter Pit” Pear it is called “Corky Spot” Calcium deficiency in developing

fruit Looks bad but is safe to eat 5 sprays of calcium chloride

(food grade) to the fruit a week apart as it is in early development

Use wetting agent and spray fruit to runoff

FireblightFireblight

Fireblight – apples, pears, Asian pears

Shothole or Coryneum BlightShothole or Coryneum Blight

Shothole fungus – peaches, nectarines

ResourcesResources

Xtremehorticulture of the Deserthttp://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/

Send questions and pictures to Extremehort@aol.com NEW!! Desert Horticulture yahoo discussion group

Dave Wilson Nurseryhttp://www.davewilson.com/

Fruit PestsUniversity of California IPM Onlinehttp://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/