New Fruit Trees

DB KANSAS · May 3, 2010

I have planted some apple and pear trees on some ground that recently came out of the CRP program. Two questions?

Can I use the Bonide Fruit Tree Spray on the pear trees? I would like to use just one type of spray for simplicity.

Is there any reason not to plant alfalfa or clover this fall around the trees? I have them well spaced. The trees are a part of a deer food plot. I have already plowed and run a disc to kill the grass.

Thanks.
DB

Chuck52 · May 3, 2010

According to the experts on the Fruits and Orchards forum of GardenWeb, Bonide Fruit Tree spray is basically useless. They say it has the wrong concentrations of the wrong ingredients. I used it for a few years on my apple and peach trees, and can't say whether it did much about the insects as I wasn't getting much fruit during that period. I can say it didn't stop Cedar Apple Rust, which is the main disease problem I have with apples. After I found GardenWeb, I started following (as much as I follow anything) the suggestions there. Immunox is a good fungicide. Spectracide Once and Done for insects. They have many other suggestions, but those are the easiest for home fruit growers.

I'd suggest you read that forum for lots of info.

Chuck

forgeblast · May 4, 2010

I use some products from gardens alive that work well. In my crp program, i planted a clover cover crop but i will still keep a 3-5' circle cleared of veg around the trees to avoid voles. If you were going to plant anything keep it very small, and simple. The cover i used was whitetail institues no till clover, works great.

MossRoad · May 4, 2010

It just occurred to me... have you checked Bonide's website? I did. Here's a link. The first question deals with pears! :laughing:

Bonide

DB KANSAS · May 4, 2010

Thanks all. I have an area around the trees clear and fenced. Also thanks for the link to Bonide. I looked at the site but did not see that FAQ's page. I thought I would start with 3 trees to limit the cost of first time rookie mistakes but the next thing you know I had 11 trees? I wish I would have done this sooner but I thought the CRP police might complain about the trees?
DB