West central Michigan tree fruit update – July 9, 2025
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EmailTart cherry harvest has begun in west central Michigan.
Weather update
This week began with more moderate weather than last week. There was much needed rain on Sunday, July 6, across the west central and Grand Rapids, Michigan, regions. Fruit development is advancing well, and cherries are red and sizing nicely (Figure 1). Tart cherry harvest has begun in the region.
For the start of the week in Hart, Michigan, high temperatures were cooler than last week due to the storm system that moved through the area on Sunday. High temperatures in Hart were in the mid-70s and low 80s. Lows were in the 50s. Highs in the Grand Rapids region were in the upper 70s and low 80s. Nighttime temperature have been in the mid- to low 60s according to the Sparta Enviroweather stations. High temperatures across both regions are forecasted to be in the 80s for the rest of the week with lows in the 50s and 60s.
Chances of scattered showers are also predicted over the next week, although rainfall amounts are forecasted to be generally low. Based on the Hart Enviroweather station for July 8, current degree day (DD) accumulation is 1,684 DD42 and 1,039 DD50. For the Sparta Enviroweather station, current DD accumulation is 1,915 DD42 and 1,222 DD50. Growing degree days jumped from last week due to the heat over the past week.
Get the full weather update from Jeff Andresen.
Weather data was gathered from Enviroweather.
Over the past week, much needed rain fell across west central Michigan. Since July 1, Hart has received 0.93 inches of rain, while Sparta has seen only 0.07 inches. Soil conditions will continue to be dry, especially for the west central region. With high temperatures and low soil moisture content, trees may easily become water stressed and will need irrigation this week.
At the Hart Enviroweather station on July 7, maximum soil temperatures were 82.8 F at 2 inches and 79.7 F at 4 inches. Soil moisture was 8.5% at 4 inches and 2.7% at 20 inches. Soil moisture has been gradually declining, even with short periods of rainfall. Shallow soil has more soil moisture now than the deeper soil as shown by the Enviroweather sensors. This means that the deeper soil water is not being replenished by natural rainfall.
At the Sparta Enviroweather station on July 7, maximum soil temperatures were 91.4 F at 2 inches and 87.0 F at 4 inches. Soil moisture was 49.5% at 0–12 inches and 56.7% at 12–24 inches, similar to last week. Irrigation is needed in both regions, particularly for young trees. With little rain in the forecast, irrigation is needed, especially for young trees.
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).
Crop update
Apple varieties in Oceana County are sizing well, and the crop load is becoming clearer. Some growers are hand thinning to manage crop load. It is also a good time to select leaders and tie developing leaders in young trees.
Sweet cherries are being harvested for fresh and processing markets. Tart cherries are being harvested in some orchards in Oceana County. There is variation in maturity across the region, and orchards closer to the lake are five to 10 days behind orchards further inland.
Peaches are differentiating by size, and pits are hardening for some peach varieties. Growers are hand thinning peaches in the region. A general rule of thumb is to leave an average of 6 to 8 inches between fruit (the larger spacing for earlier or hard-to-size varieties).
Apricots are growing steadily and may be ready for harvest this week.
Plums have a good set for European and Japanese varieties. Bacterial spot was observed on plum leaves resulting in a shothole appearance where dead tissue fell out of leaves.
Pear fruitlets are growing steadily. Pear psylla populations have been observed across the region, and nymph feeding is causing black leaves known as psylla scorch. This type of damage is particularly common in sunny, dry conditions. The sticky waste excreted by nymphs, called honeydew, is also a good medium for sooty mold growth on the surface of leaves and fruit.
Disease update
With rains this week, there will be risk for summer diseases like fly speck and sooty blotch in apple and any secondary scab that is present in orchards as well as cherry leaf spot. Primary apple scab is now over in the west central region.
Stone fruit will also be susceptible to brown rot this week as fruit mature. Brown rot has been found in some sweet and tart cherry blocks in Oceana County. Be sure to apply fungicides for brown rot management, especially where brown rot pressure was high last year.
Insect pest update
In Oceana County, no codling moth or lesser apple worm were trapped this week. Oriental fruit moth was trapped with an average of three moths per trap. An average of two obliquebanded leafroller adults were caught per trap. A few Japanese beetles were found in an apple orchard, so populations may build over the new weeks.
American plum borer was not trapped this week at the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center, but one borer per trap was found in Mason County. Lesser peachtree borer was only trapped in one out of three traps at West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center, and no greater peachtree borer were trapped.
Spotted wind drosophila were trapped again this week in the west central region with an average of 37 per trap. With moderately warm temperatures, high humidity and recent rains, conditions for spotted wing drosophila development are very good. To manage spotted wing drosophila closer to harvest, products like Exirel and Mustang Maxx are effective and have short pre-harvest intervals. Information on insecticide efficacy and rainfastness can be found in “Rainfast characteristics of insecticides on fruit” from Michigan State University Extension.
No evidence of spotted wing drosophila resistance to pesticides has been found, but it is important to rotate chemistries to manage resistance. Focus on managing adults with excellent coverage, full covers and tightening spray intervals if populations build. A minimum of seven-day spray intervals under dry conditions is recommended with tighter intervals following a rain or other wetting event if needed.
Remember that trap counts are not necessarily an indicator of fruit infestation, especially as fruit mature. It is important to sample fruit to monitor if larvae are present in fruit. More information about spotted wing drosophila management can be found “Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila in Michigan Cherry.”
In Sparta this week, codling moth was trapped at 13 moths per trap, and 55 oriental fruit moth were trapped. Obliquebanded leafroller adults were also observed with 13 moths per trap. Apple maggot has not been trapped.
For more information about regional reports, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.
