Tree Fruit Research and Extension
WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension develops and applies research-based information for sustainable tree fruit production in Washington and the world.
Recent News
WSU Decision Aid System Update June 2025
As temperatures rise in much of Washington and Oregon, apple sunburn risk increases. Check the DAS sunburn model for apples to assess risk in your…
Real-Time In-Orchard Apple Heat Stress Monitoring System
Sunburn is a major issue in apple production, resulting up to 40% yield loss. Sunburn adversely affects the fruit aesthetics and reduces marketability. For several…
Precision and Automated Irrigation Technological for Optimal Water Use and Improved Fruit Quality
Technology Testbed and Demonstration Site” was established in commercial WA38 apple orchard at Mattawa, WA. A commercial precision and automated irrigation system was established by…
Tree Characteristics and Management Recommendations for WA 64
A newly released WSU Extension publication offers management recommendations and preliminary findings concerning the growth, tree characteristics, and cultivation practices of WA 64, the latest…
Ultraviolet radiation for packinghouse surface disinfestation and direct application to pear fruit: research report
Written by Shawn McMurtrey, Kartini Luther, Janet Turner, John Bennett, Rachel Leisso, June 2025 Mucor rot of pear and apple is caused by the fungal…
Horticulture Program Manager Position Available
There is one Program Analyst II opening with the Yakima County Horticulture Department.
Upcoming Events
10
Jul
Jul
Pear Pest Management Summer Field Day
Hall Rd, Cashmere WA (Pine Flats) 47.52316, -120.55118
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Featured Videos
Virtual Orchard Meetups: Heat Session Grower Panel with Garrett Henry, WA & Steve Frecon, PA
Managing the Uncontrollable: Resilience to extreme events. Heat session Grower Panel.
Virtual Orchard Meetups: Heat Session with Randolph M Beaudry, Michigan State University
Managing the Uncontrollable: Resilience to extreme events. Heat Session with Randolph M Beaudry, Michigan State University.
Virtual Orchard Meetups: Heat Session with Lee Kalcsits, Washington State University
Managing the uncontrollable: resilience to extreme events
Fire Blight of Apple and Pear
This animation illustrates the biology of fire blight infections in apple and pear. Video produced by Tianna DuPont, Washington State University. Animation by Dani Abram. Funded by USDA SCRI grant #2020-51181-32158. Thank you to reviewers…
Surface mulches to buffer environmental stress in tree fruit
Kirsten Hannam, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, BC presented at the 2025 Soil Con: Soil Health Workshop for Tree Fruit February 27, 2025. Thank you to funding and sponsorship from the Soil Health Initiative, WSDA,…
Recent Publications
Evaluation of biopesticides for the control of Erwinia amylovora in Apple and Pear
In a recent study, we evaluated non-antibiotic materials for fire blight control in 8 Washington, 3 Oregon, 3 New York and 2 Pennsylvania field experiments conducted between 2013 to 2022.
Investigations of Multiple Approaches to Reduce Green Spot Incidence in ‘WA 38’ Apple
A pre-harvest apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) disorder named “green spot” (GS) was recently identified on ‘WA 38’ apples. Previous work indicated a tentative association between GS and fruit mineral imbalance, and an influence of…
Soil Health Indicators for Central Washington Orchards
To help growers in Central Washington orchards, Washington State University scientists demonstrated that all soil health indicators should include measurements of water availability and root health in addition to standard fertility indicators to meet stakeholder…
Field scale application of Brassica seed meal and anaerobic soil disinfestation for the control of apple replant disease.
Study published June 2021 in Applied Soil Ecology shows potential of anaerobic soil disinfestation and biorenovation with mustard meals for mitigation of replant disease.
Towards rapid detection and mapping of powdery mildew in apple orchards
Chandel, Khot, Sallato Dec 2020. Powdery mildew (PM) in apples is a critical fungal disease that adversely affects yield and fruit quality. Conventional PM identification techniques are laborious. This study evaluated the suitability of non-destructive…
