North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>]

> Pruning apples from mid-July on does not stimulate much vegetative 
> growth and that growth is not noticeably tender in my experience.


But isn't there a problem with fireblight in summer pruning apples? I've 
been pruning everything else but apples and pears, because I've had 
fireblight really bad on my Suncrisp apple, and I didn't want it to 
spread. Unfortunately, a couple of my trees REALLY need pruning.

I must admit that I haven't notice fireblight on the Suncrisp where I 
cut off infected branches (it just seems to pop up at random), but I 
thought that was how it spread, through cuts (and through blossoms, 
during that time of year). I've had a LOT of fireblight on the Suncrisp 
(a fireblight magnet, as some of you have told me), but nothing yet on 
the three trees planted only 18" away. I had a little bit, earlier in 
the season, on my Pink Lady apple, but I haven't seen anything on my 
European or Asian pears.

What do you think? Do I need to avoid summer pruning on all my apples 
and pears, or not?

Thanks,

Bill
Lincoln, NE (zone 5)

--
I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an 
exception. - Groucho Marx