West central Michigan tree fruit update – April 5, 2022
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EmailTrees are still dormant in west central Michigan.
Weather update
Weather conditions in the west central Michigan region continue to be cool and wet, delaying phenology in apple, cherry, peach and pear (Figure 1). Bud swell has been observed for some pear varieties, but other fruit crops remain dormant in the region. For April 5 at the Elbridge/Hart Enviroweather station, the Michigan State University Enviroweather model predicts an accumulation of 57.8 growing degree days (GDD) at base 42 F, 16.1 GDD at base 50 F. For base 32 F, 217.8 GDD are predicted. Over the past five years, the base 42 F GDD average for Elbridge/Hart is 65.9 GDD so we are currently below average for GDD accumulation.
Average GDD 42 F for first green in apple is 127 for McIntosh based on over 30 years of observation from Sparta, Michigan. While other apple varieties will be ahead or behind McIntosh, our current accumulation is 57.8 GDD at base 42F, so a continued delay in bud break and green is expected.
In the coming days, we will have cooler temperatures and scattered rain and snow showers. Over the weekend, we should see drier conditions. Temperatures are projected to increase slightly early next week with highs in the upper 50s followed by cooler weather with highs in the 40s and rain events. Degree day accumulation will remain slow (Figure 2).
More information and reports on normal weather conditions and departures from normal can be found on the NOAA Climate Prediction Center website, NOAA U.S. Climate Normals website, NOAA Climate Normals Quick Access Page (which may be searched by region) and Midwest Regional Climate Center website.
Pest and disease update
Be thinking about when to apply final spring dormant sprays using copper products for management of peach leaf curl and bacterial canker in cherry and other stone fruit. With increased precipitation, soils are highly saturated so driving in the field may be difficult. With continued cool and wet conditions, we will likely still have time to apply dormant sprays before bud break. It is still too cold for insect pest or disease activity in West Central area orchards.
