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
2026 International Orchard Meetup Webinar Series: The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability
The International Virtual Orchard Meetup program brings together growers, researchers, government, and Extension agents. This year the meetups will discuss challenges related to heat stress,…
WSU Tree Fruit Heat School
Join us March 11th from 8:30 AM-2:30 PM for the WSU Tree Fruit Heat School. This free event will focus on understanding and managing heat-related…
2026 WA Tree Fruit Research Commission Grant Awards for Cherry
For 2026, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC) approved $228,176 to help fund six (6) new projects. The Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission (OSCC) is…
Lenticel breakdown disorder: preharvest and postharvest considerations
Although lenticel breakdown disorder (LBD) is well-know, the latest research published by Torres et al. (2025) has shown: (1) sanitizers used at commercial doses do…
WSU Cherry Breeding Program Update: New Variety
The Washington State University cherry breeding program, led by Dr. Per McCord in Prosser, WA, is releasing a new variety of sweet cherry. Currently known…
How to effectively remove cankers and associated pathogens in sweet cherry orchards
Effective disease management in sweet cherry begins with informed pruning decisions. Recent observations indicate that pruning at least five inches below visible cankers during hot/dry…
Four different types of fire blight pathogen existed in Washington Orchards: What does this mean to growers?
It is often believed that the pathogen causing fire blight is genetically similar in every orchard. A recent study by Washington State University researchers found…
Upcoming Events
27
Feb
Feb
2026 International Orchard Meetup Webinar Series: The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability
Zoom Webinar
11
Mar
Mar
Okanogan Pest Management Discussion Group
Tonasket Community Cultural Center
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Featured Videos
Monitoreo y muestreo para la enfermedad de la cereza pequeña
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…
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…
