Hand Thinning of Fruit Trees

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This article was published originally on 6/9/1993

Byline:

by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture

Many fruit trees bloomed heavily this spring and have set a large crop. Unfortunately, some fruit trees are bearing too many fruit. Trees loaded with fruit should be thinned to:

obtain large, high quality fruit at harvest
allow development of flower buds for next year's crop, thus overcoming the tendency for some fruit trees to bear fruit in alternate years
prevent limb breakage.

Hand thinning of apples should be done within 6 weeks of full bloom or by approximately mid-June. Leave the largest apple in a cluster unless it is damaged. After thinning, the apples should be spaced about 8 to 10 inches apart on the branches. Pears, plums, and apricots should be spaced about 6 to 8 inches apart on the branches.

This article originally appeared in the June 9, 1993 issue, p. 85.

Year of Publication:

1993

Issue:

IC-465(14) -- June 9, 1993

by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture