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
Watch for Fire Blight Risk
If we have warm temperatures and moisture during bloom be prepared to prevent fire blight infections. Consider the following reminders.
Plan for Multiple Fire Blight Conditions, Be Agile
With bloom opening and warm conditions next week be prepared to manage fire blight for blocks with different risk.
WSU Decision Aid System Update April
DAS April 2026 Updates
USDA Organic Materials Comment Period Now Open
Sanitizers, calcium chloride, pear ester, and other materials important to organic tree fruit are open for public comment this month to the USDA National Organic…
Introducing Two New Tree Fruit Extension Educators
The Tree Fruit Extension Team is happy to introduce two new Extension Educators, Lexie McDaniel, PhD, Horticulture Extension Educator and Dattatray Bhalekar, PhD, Horticulture Technology…
What’s budding across the country?
Catch the first SPARC Orchard Roundup podcast for a roundup of phenology updates from PA, NY, WA, MI and ME!
Upcoming Events
8
Apr
Apr
OSU Tree Fruit Economics Symposium
The Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Dr., The Dalles
Get Connected
Featured Videos
Monitoreo y muestreo para la enfermedad de la cereza pequeña
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…
New codling moth tools- NCW Tree Fruit Days 2025
Betsy Beers, WSU Entomology described efficacy information on new codling moth products at North Central Washington Apple Day. Part of North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days sponsored by WSU Extension, NW Cherry Growers, Pear Bureau…
Optimizing tree fruit nutrition for fruit quality
Bernardita Sallato described the basics of nutrient demand and their impact on fruit quality, tools to determine rate, and a review of monitoring strategies at NCW Stone Fruit Day 2025. Part of North Central Washington…
Forecasting Station Specific Weather
This presentation is an example of how good quality, local weather data can be used in abiotic stress models for both present and forecasted weather.
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…
