Southeast Michigan fruit update – June 2, 2025

Cover sprays and upcoming rain are taking place in southeast Michigan.

Bartlett pears sizing up to 20 millimeters at Spicer Orchards in Hartland, Michigan, on June 2, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension.

Welcome to the ninth in-season fruit article update for southeast Michigan for the 2025 season. Throughout the season these updates will include information about the weather in the past week and the upcoming week, a fruit-by-fruit guide to current conditions with appropriate pest and disease updates, and other relevant observations. 

General observations 

While not as cold as the week before, the last week has been cool and dry. We are seeing slowed movement in both plants and insects. Wet conditions will continue through the end of the week. This wetness can contribute to disease and it’s important as ever to get ahead of diseases with multiple generations, like scab. The coming week is expected to start with more rain with warmer temperatures followed by a cool-down. 

This year, our weekly integrated pest management (IPM) updates will be separated into two meetings: a small fruit meeting for southern Michigan on Tuesday evenings (register for small fruit IPM meetings) and a statewide tree fruit IPM update on Wednesdays at noon (register for tree fruit IPM meetings). It is a good opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions and receive restricted use pesticide (RUP) credits.See the latest fruit meetings for southern Michigan onMSU’s Kaltura Media Space(these may take a few days to upload after the meetings are held) at thesmall fruit channeland thetree fruit channel.    

Fruit-by-fruit conditions 

Apples 

We are seeing fruit set and some sizing up apples around the region. King fruit on Golden Delicious observed in South Lyon were 19 millimeters (mm) in diameter. Some growers have already done thinning sprays, though protracted bloom has made fruit set somewhat more difficult to assess.

Apple_Golden19mm_BlakesSL_June4_2025.jpg
Golden Delicious apple fruitlets at 19 mm in South Lyon, Michigan, on June 4, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Blueberries 

Fruit set is occurring in all blueberry varieties with bloom mostly completed. 

Blueberry_SpicersJune2_2025.jpg
Blueberries expanding at Spicer Orchards in Hartland, Michigan, on June 2, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension.

Brambles 

Summer raspberries and blackberries are in bloom with some fruit set in both. Fall raspberry shoots have elongated to about 24 inches in Hartland. 

Blackberry_FloralBud_Kapnicks_May29_2025.JPEG
Blackberry floral buds in Britton, Michigan, on May 29, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Cherries 

There is some pit hardening and the start of coloration in sweet and tart cherries.  

TartCherry_2_Spicers_June2_2025.JPEG
Tart cherry at coloring in Hartland, Michigan, on June 2, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Grapes 

There has been continued shoot extension in grapes regionally, with Concord in Hartland at 24-inch growth. Hybrid wine grapes in the region are between 10-12-inch shoot growth. Wild grape bloom has begun but we have yet to see bloom in cultivated grapes. 

Grape_Marquette_Youngblood_May28_2025_10inchgrowth.JPEG
Marquette grape with 10-inch shoot growth at Youngblood Vineyard in Ray Township, Michigan, on May 28, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Peaches and nectarines 

Peaches in the region are expanding with no evidence of pit hardening. 

Peach_Spicers_June2_2025.JPEG
Peach fruitlet at 14 mm in Hartland, Michigan, on June 2, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Pears 

Pears in the region are expanding, with pears in Hartland at 20 mm diameter. 

Pear_Bartlett_Spicers_June2_2025.JPEG
Bartlett pear trees at 18 mm diameter fruit set in Hartland, Michigan, on June 2, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Plums 

Italian plums in Romeo were expanding. 

Italian Plum Verellen May 22.jpg
Italian plums in Romeo, Michigan, on May 22, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension.

Strawberries 

Flowers are starting to become abundant, and fruit is starting to set. Harvest has started in the warmer parts of the region. 

Strawberry_Spicers_June2_2025.JPEG
Strawberry fruitlets and flower in Hartland, Michigan, on June 2, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Insect conditions

Raspberry_Flower_Bee_Kapnicks_May29_2025.JPEG
Raspberry pollination in Britton, Michigan, on May 29, 2025. Photo by Derek Plotkowski, MSU Extension. 

Pollinators are still active in some fruit crops! This 2024 article on pollinator stewardship during bloom in tree fruit and the 2021 guide for pollinator stewardship in blueberries are particularly relevant at this time.  

More in-depth information can be found by watching the latest weekly fruit meetings on MSU’s Kaltura Media Space (these may take a few days to upload after the meetings). 

Aphids: Evidence of green apple aphid, green peach aphid, light woolly apple aphids and rosy apple aphids have been found in the region. 

Codling moth: Codling moth counts are up, especially in conventional blocks. Ovicidal products are most effective 100-200 growing degree days base 45 (GDD45) after first adult emergence while larvicidal products can start being used at 200 GDD45. See this article for best management practices.  

European apple sawfly: Some damage from European Apple Sawfly has been reported regionally.  

Grape berry moth: Counts have climbed at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville and they have been caught in southeast Michigan. Read this article on early season grape berry moth control. 

Oriental fruit moth: Counts are low in southeast Michigan. 

Pear psylla: Adults have been observed in Macomb County. Larvae are maturing and a new generation of egglaying is expected in the next couple weeks. 

Plum curculio: Catches continue. We are around the peak time for spring adult migration. 

Red banded leaf roller: Catches are down to low numbers in southeast Michigan. 

Spotted tentiform leafminer: Control is usually not necessary, but may be useful in problem areas beginning at tight cluster in apples 

Tarnished plant bug: Damage has been seen in the region in addition to catches. Do not mow, disc or mechanically weed during the critical window, as the insect can feed on flowers and developing fruit. Control is usually done at petal fall only if the pest is an issue in your orchard. 

Control periods in the warmer parts of the region have passed for black stem borer, mites, scale, first generation oriental fruit moth and rosy apple aphid. 

Disease conditions 

Apple scab: There is a forecasted risk for infection from June 6-7. Early control is important for reducing secondary scab infections that can affect fruit. No scab has been reported regionally. 

Black knot: There is still time to prune out and burn black knot in plums and sour cherries. Fungicides may be used for limited control to supplement pruning and sanitation efforts. 

Brown rot: Fungicides may used again about three weeks before harvest in stone fruit. 

Cherry leaf spot: There is moderate risk for cherry leaf spot from June 5-7. See this article on cherry leaf spot management. 

Fire blight: Anticipated risk is low in the next week. Some strikes have been reported in northwest Ohio. 

Grape black rot: Control usually begins at 1-inch shoot length. Some risk is anticipated June 5-6. See this article for grape black rot management options and consult E0154. 

Grape downy mildew: Some risk is anticipated June 5-7. 

Mummy berry: We are still in the season for mummy berry infections. SeeE2846for control methods.   

Phomopsis: In blueberries, the Phomopsis fungus is active from bud swell until after harvest. 

Powdery mildew of apple and pear: Some powdery mildew has already been reported in the region, though treatments seem to have been effective at keeping it under control. Start to include products labeled for powdery mildew in sprays starting at tight cluster. Anticipated risk is low in the next week. 

Powdery mildew of grape: Some risk is anticipated June 9-11. 

Seasonal weather update 

In the last week, southeast Michigan has seen on average just under 5 hours of rain, accumulating to roughly 0.1 inch of precipitation. We are ahead of the five-year average in amount and hours of rainfall. 

Liquid Precipitation Accumulation Mar. 1- June 2, 2025, issued June 2, 2025
Station (County) Rainfall Total (in.) Current Hours with Rainfall Current Rainfall Total Average (5 Yr.) Hours with Rainfall Average (5 Yr.)
Commerce (Oakland) 8.1 165 7.1 158
Deerfield (Monroe) 9.6 168 7.7 159
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 9.5 172 7.3 158
Emmett (St. Clair) 8.6 152 6.8 152
Flint (Genesee) 9.8 186 7.3 162
Freeland (Saginaw) 8.2 156 . .
Hudson (Lenawee) 9.7 176 7.6 155
Ithaca (Gratiot) 9.0 166 7.0 151
Lapeer (Lapeer) 9.9 177 6.2 161
Linwood (Bay) 6.9 157 6.7 146
Pigeon (Huron) 5.4 203 6.5 145
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 11.0 175 6.5 146
Romeo (Macomb) 9.7 161 7.0 148
Sandusky (Sanilac) 7.7 139 6.3 160
Average of stations in this region: 8.8 168.1 6.9 153.9

 

Difference in Liquid Precipitation Accumulation from Mar. 1 observed May 27 and June 2, 2025; issued June 2, 2025
  Rainfall Total (in.) Rainfall Total (in.)   Hours with Rainfall Hours with Rainfall  
Station (County) 27-May 2-Jun Difference 27-May 2-Jun Difference
Commerce (Oakland) 8.0 8.1 0.1 161 165 4.0
Deerfield (Monroe) 9.6 9.6 0.0 166 168 2.0
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 9.4 9.5 0.1 170 172 2.0
Emmett (St. Clair) 8.5 8.6 0.1 149 152 3.0
Flint (Genesee) 9.7 9.8 0.2 179 186 7.0
Freeland (Saginaw) 8.1 8.2 0.2 147 156 9.0
Hudson (Lenawee) 9.6 9.7 0.0 173 176 3.0
Ithaca (Gratiot) 9.0 9.0 0.1 162 166 4.0
Lapeer (Lapeer) 9.8 9.9 0.1 171 177 6.0
Linwood (Bay) 6.8 6.9 0.1 150 157 7.0
Pigeon (Huron) 5.2 5.4 0.1 195 203 8.0
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 10.8 11.0 0.1 166 175 9.0
Romeo (Macomb) 9.6 9.7 0.1 159 161 2.0
Sandusky (Sanilac) 7.7 7.7 0.0 137 139 2.0
Average of stations in this region: 8.7 8.8 0.1 163.2 168.1 4.9

In the short term, we are expecting warm conditions with scattered showers through the end of the week followed by fair and cool conditions on the weekend. More showers are expected in the early week. Low temperatures are expected in the 40s and 50s. Highs will mostly stay in the 70s with some time in the 80s. 

In the medium term, we are expecting temperatures to be normal with precipitation above normal levels. The long lead outlooks are calling for both temperature and precipitation to be near normal. 

Around the region our growing degree day numbers have dropped below the four-year average. Read this Michigan State University Extension article to learn more about degree days: Understanding growing degree-days. 

Degree Day Accumulation Mar. 1-June 2, 2025 Forecast from June 3-June 9, 2025; issued June 2, 2025
Station (County) Degree Days Base 42°F Current Degree Days Base 42°F Average (4 Yr.) Degree Days Base 42°F Forecast Degree Days Base 45°F Current Degree Days Base 45°F Average (4 Yr.) Degree Days Base 45°F Forecast Degree Days Base 50°F Current Degree Days Base 50°F Average (4 Yr.) Degree Days Base 50°F Forecast
Commerce (Oakland) 825 863 1007 658 702 819 423 481 550
Deerfield (Monroe) 985 1005 1174 799 827 968 536 577 670
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 876 911 1049 701 745 854 457 516 576
Emmett (St. Clair) 741 826 907 582 668 728 371 452 483
Flint (Genesee) 904 939 1082 730 771 887 485 538 608
Freeland (Saginaw) 790 874 958 629 714 776 410 494 523
Hudson (Lenawee) 888 935 1076 715 769 882 474 539 606
Ithaca (Gratiot) 853 925 1020 683 760 793 450 529 529
Lapeer (Lapeer) 835 882 1005 670 722 819 441 501 556
Linwood (Bay) 680 780 843 532 631 674 335 429 443
Pigeon (Huron) 674 784 828 524 634 658 329 432 428
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 811 913 981 644 750 793 413 520 529
Romeo (Macomb) 815 867 994 647 703 805 415 478 539
Sandusky (Sanilac) 734 817 894 576 664 715 365 455 470
Average of stations in this region: 815 880 987 649 719 798 422 496 536

 

Difference in Degree Day Accumulation from Mar. 1, 2025 observed May 27 and June 2, 2025; issued June 2, 2025
Station (County) Degree Days Base 42°F  Degree Days Base 42°F  Degree Days Base 42°F Degree Days Base 45°F Degree Days Base 45°F Degree Days Base 45°F Degree Days Base 50°F Degree Days Base 50°F Degree Days Base 50°F
  27-May 2-Jun Difference 27-May 2-Jun Difference 27-May 2-Jun Difference
Commerce (Oakland) 735 825 90.0 586 658 72.0 378 423 45.0
Deerfield (Monroe) 884 985 101.0 716 799 83.0 480 536 56.0
East Lansing MSU Hort (Ingham) 781 876 95.0 624 701 77.0 405 457 52.0
Emmett (St. Clair) 657 741 84.0 514 582 68.0 327 371 44.0
Flint (Genesee) 803 904 101.0 647 730 83.0 428 485 57.0
Freeland (Saginaw) 680 790 110.0 536 629 93.0 345 410 65.0
Hudson (Lenawee) 796 888 92.0 640 715 75.0 424 474 50.0
Ithaca (Gratiot) 742 853 111.0 589 683 94.0 383 450 67.0
Lapeer (Lapeer) 741 835 94.0 594 670 76.0 389 441 52.0
Linwood (Bay) 580 680 100.0 449 532 83.0 279 335 56.0
Pigeon (Huron) 577 674 97.0 446 524 78.0 276 329 53.0
Richville/Frankenmuth (Tuscola) 707 811 104.0 557 644 87.0 353 413 60.0
Romeo (Macomb) 720 815 95.0 567 647 80.0 364 415 51.0
Sandusky (Sanilac) 642 734 92.0 501 576 75.0 315 365 50.0
Average of stations in this region: 718 815 98 569 649 80 368 422 54

Watch Jeff Andresen's weekly agricultural weather forecast reports here. 

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. 

 

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