Friday, April 13, 2018

Pear Trees Blooming

   Pear trees are now blooming, and most apple varieties are in the pink bud stage, with some apple varieties blooming.  We've had several frosts that have killed some pear pistils, the flower part that produces the fruit, but pear trees produce so many flowers that there are still plenty of blooms to produce a good crop.
These 'Harrowsweet' pear trees are in full bloom now.
   Sun. morning April 15 is predicted to go down to 30 F, and Mon. morning April 16 is predicted to go down to 28 F.  If we don't go below these temperatures, we should still have a good pear crop.  Since most apple varieties still have many fruit buds in the pink bud stage, they should not be hurt by these frosts.  The reduced peach crop, that has already set fruit, should not be further hurt.
The sun was just setting on April 12 behind these blooming 'Shinko' Asian pear trees.
   So far, we've seen very little bee activity in any of the orchards.  Bees do not fly when temperatures are under 50 F, nor when winds are over 30 miles per hour all day, as occurred for the past 3 days.  Hopefully next week will be warmer and less windy, so bees and other insects will pollinate the fruit trees blossoms, so they can set fruit.
About half these pear flowers still have live pistils; those with dark centers have been killed.  Since pear trees produce so many flowers, there are still plenty of blooms to produce a good crop.
   I've been pruning apple trees for the past 10 days, whenever the weather is conducive.  Bill makes the large cuts with a chain saw, then I use pneumatic loppers to remove upper branches from our apple trees.  Then I use hand pruners to remove dead, diseased or overly dense apple branches. 
Bill first makes needed large cuts on our apple trees with a chain saw.
   We still have many apples and pecans for sale now.  Asparagus harvest should start next week, about April 16, whenever the weather warms up.  Scroll down to the previous blog post, dated April 5, for prices and apple and pecan photos.
   Just phone 620-597-2450 a day in advance, and leave a message on the answering machine saying your name and the day and approximate time you'll come get them, so I can look for you.  When I'm pruning apple trees at the back of the orchard, especially when using pneumatic loppers, I can't always see or hear vehicles come in if people haven't called a day ahead so I can expect them.
I use pneumatic loppers, powered by the blue air compressor on the tractor in the background, to remove upper branches from our apple trees.  When using pneumatic loppers, I can't see or hear vehicles come in if people haven't called a day ahead so I can expect them.