Tree Maintence and Pruning Information
Insect Class –
Saturday, May 6th 2023
9am – 10am
Learn how to combat codling moths and other pesky insects at a free workshop taught by Master Gardener and Western Cascade Fruit Society member Bill Horn at the Curran Apple Orchard Park, located at 3920 Grandview Dr W in University Place.
Mr. Horn will discuss and demonstrate homemade traps from 9am to 10am. Interested people are asked to rsvp at curranappleorchard@gmail.com to help determine how many handouts are needed.
Codling Moth Trap Recipes
For Homemade Traps — Mix in one gallon jug
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1 Cup Molasses
2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp yeast
Water to fill, after 24 hours 1-2 cups per trap -
1 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Cup Molasses
1/8 tsp Ammonia
5 Cups Water, after 24 hours 1-2 cups per trap -
1 Cut-up Banana Peel
1 Cup Vinegar
1 Cup Sugar
Water to fill, after 24 hours 1-2 cups per trap -
1/3 Cup Molasses
1/8 tsp Ammonia
appears that is per trap -
2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp yeast
Water to fill, after 24 hours 1-2 cups per trap -
1/4 Cup Molasses
2 1/2 Cup Water
1/4 tsp yeast
per trap -
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup Molasses
1/8 tsp Ammonia
5 Cups Water
per trap
Pruning
Master Gardeners teach pruning classes each spring. Learn how to prune apple trees and help maintain the orchard. Trained volunteers are also available to assist people at the pruning parties which will be held at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following Saturdays in 2023:
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February 4 & 18
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March 4 & 18
People are welcome to prune at their convenience AFTER receiving appropriate instructions. Recommended pruning tools include work gloves, hand pruners, loppers and hand saws. Some tools available on site. Please carry all trimmings to the dumpsters.
Thinning – Saturday, June 10th, 10am – noon
Apple trees should be thinned when the fruit is approximately the size of a nickel. The fruit should NOT touch each other… remove all but one fruit per cluster. Gently twist off the excess fruit and dispose of in the dumpsters to avoid future insect problems. Join us on Saturday, June 10th, from 10 am – noon to thin or do at your own convenience.
Thinning is extremely important because it:
* Encourages larger, higher quality apples
* Prevents branches from snapping or breaking due to heavy fruit load
* Exposes developing fruit to sun so they can ripen fully and obtain good color
* Helps offset tendency for trees to “take a year off” after producing heavy fruit load
Pick Windfalls – Mid July – September
Pruning Adopters must pick up all windfalls and place the apples in the dumpster to prevent apple maggot larva from surviving in the soil and infecting future apple crops.