Spraying apple trees - Ask Extension
What do I spray my apple trees with having a bug problem and also why are my apples so small.and also when is the best time to spray them.
Knowledgebase
Spraying apple trees #860175
Asked February 29, 2024, 3:21 PM EST
What do I spray my apple trees with having a bug problem and also why are my apples so small.and also when is the best time to spray them.
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear McKibbin,
Thank you for contacting us with your questions. I have questions for you.
How old is your tree?
Did you fertilize the tree and if so what did you use?
Did it produce flowers and a lot of apples last year?
What kind of damage from bugs are you seeing?
These questions will help me answer your questions.
If the tree is older and has produced well in years past, you may be getting small apples because there are too many on the tree. You should remove apples when they are about 1 inch in diameter so there is 1 apple every 6 inches or more on a limb. This helps the tree direct more energy to the apples left and they usually will grow larger.
If your bug damage consists of worms in the apples, spraying may help but these usually come from Codling moths and Apple Maggot flies that lay eggs on the apples. This occurs in the spring to summer months. Spraying with horticultural oil after the blossoms drop (not while they are open - the oil will glue the pollen together and the pollinators will not be able to transfer it to other blossoms) may help contain the worms.
If it is another type of damage, you might look at earwigs. They like to climb up the tree or over winter in the tree and then eat out the apples at the stem. Putting a 3 or 4 inch wide piece of cardboard all the way around the bottom of the tree trunk and taping it closed on the bottom then painting the cardboard with petroleum jelly will catch the earwigs coming up the tree.
Leaving the top of the cardboard open will catch larva crawling down the tree to pupate in the soil. You can check it often for larva. When the petroleum jelly is cover with dust or bugs, scrape it off and add more jelly.
The spray and jelly are gentle remedies to some problems. The oil will smother any insect eggs laid on the tree during last year. Mites have been a problem in some orchards.
I am attaching a link to Oregon States Fruit tree publication: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-819-growing-tree-fruits-nuts-home-orchard
There is information on apple trees and if you scroll all the way down the publication more info on fruit trees in general.
When I have more information, I can answer when and what to spray if needed. Knowing what if any fertilizers you have used and how old the tree is, is also important. If it has been healthy, then removing apples may answer the issue of small apples.
What kind of bug damage or what bugs do you see will help me as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Thank you for contacting us with your questions. I have questions for you.
How old is your tree?
Did you fertilize the tree and if so what did you use?
Did it produce flowers and a lot of apples last year?
What kind of damage from bugs are you seeing?
These questions will help me answer your questions.
If the tree is older and has produced well in years past, you may be getting small apples because there are too many on the tree. You should remove apples when they are about 1 inch in diameter so there is 1 apple every 6 inches or more on a limb. This helps the tree direct more energy to the apples left and they usually will grow larger.
If your bug damage consists of worms in the apples, spraying may help but these usually come from Codling moths and Apple Maggot flies that lay eggs on the apples. This occurs in the spring to summer months. Spraying with horticultural oil after the blossoms drop (not while they are open - the oil will glue the pollen together and the pollinators will not be able to transfer it to other blossoms) may help contain the worms.
If it is another type of damage, you might look at earwigs. They like to climb up the tree or over winter in the tree and then eat out the apples at the stem. Putting a 3 or 4 inch wide piece of cardboard all the way around the bottom of the tree trunk and taping it closed on the bottom then painting the cardboard with petroleum jelly will catch the earwigs coming up the tree.
Leaving the top of the cardboard open will catch larva crawling down the tree to pupate in the soil. You can check it often for larva. When the petroleum jelly is cover with dust or bugs, scrape it off and add more jelly.
The spray and jelly are gentle remedies to some problems. The oil will smother any insect eggs laid on the tree during last year. Mites have been a problem in some orchards.
I am attaching a link to Oregon States Fruit tree publication: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-819-growing-tree-fruits-nuts-home-orchard
There is information on apple trees and if you scroll all the way down the publication more info on fruit trees in general.
When I have more information, I can answer when and what to spray if needed. Knowing what if any fertilizers you have used and how old the tree is, is also important. If it has been healthy, then removing apples may answer the issue of small apples.
What kind of bug damage or what bugs do you see will help me as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you again.
