Don't Let Bugs Bug You: Fruit Tree Spray Guide!

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

We all know the age-old sinking feeling of biting into a juicy Apple and seeing the back half of an unfortunate worm. If only there were something a gardener could do! 

Well, there is!

Spray Fruit Trees The Smart Way! Learn When, Why, and How!

There's nothing quite like spending months nurturing your fruit trees, only to find that the local insect population has been enjoying your harvest long before you even knew it was ready. Fortunately, with proper fruit tree pest control, care, sprays, and sanitation, your backyard home orchard can stay pest-free and productive without harming pollinators, pets, or the planet.

From dormant oils to eco-friendly organic fruit tree sprays, the secret to healthy fruit trees lies in timing, observation, and care. Whether you're growing a single Peach tree or managing a backyard orchard of Apples, Pears, and Cherries, this guide will help you spray responsibly, naturally, and effectively.

Spraying Fruit Trees 101: Essential Backyard Fruit Tree Care

It is important to educate yourself about basic orchard sanitation and fruit tree disease prevention, as well as whether to use either natural organic treatments or synthetic sprays to accomplish your goal. Having Nature Hills in your corner and purchasing trees that are naturally resistant to common issues in your area helps, too!

There's no need for a scorched earth approach when you're dealing with just a handful of pests! Try hand-picking them off or blasting them away with a strong spray from the hose first. This way, you'll protect beneficial insects and keep your groundwater clean while still solving your bug problem.

By not harming these good bugs, you will be encouraging nature to take care of your problem. Include plants that host, feed, and attract beneficial insects like Wasps, Praying Mantises, and Ladybugs to come out to help your cause!

Here's a pro tip: Tap into your local County Extension Office to get a feel for any potential problems that specific fruit trees growing in your area are facing that year, and certainly use them for the diagnosis of any issues that come up.

So Why Spray Fruit Trees?

Spraying fruit trees isn't just about getting perfect fruit; it also helps:

• Reduce insect populations that bore into fruit or lay eggs in blossoms
• Control fungal and bacterial infections
• Prevent the spread of disease between trees
• Improve tree vigor and fruit quality
• Treat nutrient deficiencies with foliar fertilizers

A Stress-Free Tree is a Resistant Tree!

The best defense is a good offense! Stress weakens a tree's ability to stay healthy. A stressed tree actually attracts pests and disease like a dinner bell. Here are some tips to keep your tree healthy enough to fight off invaders on its own:

• Remember to water your trees during times of need, heat, drought, and while it's hard at work producing fruit
• Fertilize your trees regularly so your plants have all the nutrients needed to support themselves and fight off disease
• Prune annually for proper air circulation - stagnant air invites fungal problems
• Remove crossing or rubbing branches that create wounds and weak points
• Eliminate competing leaders (double trunks) to prevent splitting and stress
• Cut out dead, diseased, or damaged wood immediately to stop problems from spreading
• Thin overcrowded branches to allow sunlight to reach all parts of the tree
• Maintain proper spacing between trees - overcrowding creates competition for resources
• Mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Choose the right location with appropriate sun exposure (6+ hours of direct sun for fruit trees) and well-draining soil that doesn't become waterlogged
• Monitor soil pH and adjust if needed - stressed roots can't uptake nutrients properly. Most fruiting trees need a pH between 6.0-7.0.
• Avoid mechanical damage from mowers, trimmers, and foot traffic around the root zone. Try creating a mulch or plant buffer zone.
• Plant companion plants that attract beneficial insects and deter pests
• Remove suckers and water sprouts that drain energy from fruit production
• Protect young trees from harsh weather with tree wraps or windbreaks when needed

An Ounce of Prevention

Fruit tree pest and disease prevention and treatment start from day one for a new fruit tree and last throughout its entire life into maturity.

• Careful observation
• Having a well-maintained location: Free of piles of old leaves, fallen stems, and overgrown weeds that might be harboring pests and giving them an area to winter over. Remove dropped fruit and leaves weekly.
• Avoid overwatering or soggy soil
• Fertilize appropriately for your region
• Prune to improve airflow and sunlight. Don't overcrowd trees; space is health!
• Choosing resistant fruit tree varieties
• Knowing what is prevalent in your area
• Avoid planting all of the same variety! Variety is the spice of life, after all! By planting multiple varieties of the same type of fruit tree, you are increasing pollination amongst all your trees, while broadening harvest dates. Plus, you will not lose an entire year's crop at once if one type of tree is affected that year!

Equipment & Safety First!

Before you mix or spray anything, make sure you have:

• Refillable Sprayer: Label each sprayer for its dedicated use (fertilizer, disease, pest)
• Ready-to-Use (RTU) Options: Great for small gardens
• Mixing Tub: For concentrate users
• PPE: Gloves, long sleeves, pants, boots, mask, goggles, and head cover
• Protective clothing that covers all skin surfaces and your head/hair
• Full face mask/breathing protection
• Footwear that the spray won't soak into
• Spreader Sticker: Helps sprays adhere better, especially in rain-prone areas
• The spray itself - Read those directions!

Other Reminders:

1. Spray only on overcast days when you do not expect rain before the spray can dry.
2. Don't spray on windy days (a mythical day here in the Midwest!)
3. Don't spray when temperatures may exceed 80°F (26-27°C), as you may burn leaves and blooms.
4. Avoid spraying when pollinators are active during the day (typically they are active between 10 am - 4 pm on sunny days that are not very windy)
5. Keep pets and kids away during and after spraying. Wait until the product dries, or what is recommended on the product's label.
6. Keep yourself safe while spraying

Types Of Sprays For Fruit Trees

• Dormant Oils: Smother overwintering eggs and fungal spores
• Horticultural Oils: Lighter than dormant oils, good during the growing season
• Copper Fungicide: Controls blights, leaf curl, and bacterial spots
• Lime Sulfur: For mildew, rust, and scab
• Sulfur Dust or Wettable Sulfur: Targets scab and mildew
• Spinosad: Targets caterpillars, borers, and thrips naturally

Eco-Friendly & Organic Spraying Alternatives

Skip the harsh chemicals and try these options:

• Insecticidal Soaps: Target soft-bodied pests without harsh residues, but they are soft on plants
• Neem Oil: Organic multitasker for insect repellent, fungicide, and anti-bacterial, all-in-one
• Kaolin Clay: Protects from sunburn and confuses pests
• Spinosad: Naturally derived from soil bacteria
• Pyrethrin (from Chrysanthemums): Fast-acting on insects
• Sticky Traps: Monitor and reduce adult populations
• Bagging Fruit: Protect individual fruits from pests
• Netting: Block birds and large insects
• Companion Planting: Attract beneficial bugs like Ladybugs and Lacewings

Passive Protection & Prevention

• Traps & Lures: Monitor pest activity
• Tree Wraps: Block crawling insects
• Sticky Bands: Stop ants and larvae from climbing trunks
• Remove Debris: Clean up fallen fruit and leaves
• Sanitize Tools: Dip pruners in Pine-Sol or Listerine between cuts

DIY Pruner Sanitizing Spray/Dip/Wipe

Sanitation is vital for halting common issues in their tracks … and preventing them from spreading!

When pruning out both diseased and healthy tree stems and branches, before and after each and every pruning cut, disinfect your tools with one of these effective sanitizers:

• Listerine, Lysol, or Pine-Sol: readily available household products
• 70% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl): quick-drying and effective against most pathogens
• 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water): powerful disinfectant for serious infections
• 70% ethanol: professional-grade option that evaporates quickly
• Commercial tool sanitizers: products specifically designed for garden tools
• Barbicide (the blue stuff from barber shops): works great on pruning tools, too!

A Sample Year-Round Spraying Schedule

Fall is not only a great time to prune and do fall garden clean-up chores, but also a crucial time to treat issues before they start!

Timing is everything! Here's a handy season-by-season guide:

Dormant Season (Late Fall to Early Spring)

• Spray: Dormant oil and copper fungicide
• Purpose: Kill overwintering pest eggs, scale, and fungal spores
• Trees: Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries

Pre-Bloom (Late Winter/Early Spring Bud Swell)

• Spray: Lime sulfur or copper for bacterial blight
• Avoid spraying: Once blossoms open to protect pollinators

Post-Bloom (Petal Drop)

• Spray: General-purpose fungicide or neem oil
• Purpose: Prevent scab, rot, and insect infestations

Fruit Set (Early Fruit Growth)

• Spray: Targeted insecticides or organic controls
• Watch for: Codling moth, Apple maggot, Plum curculio

Mid-Summer

• Spray: Light horticultural oil, neem, or insecticidal soap as needed
• Use: Only when signs of pests or fungal issues appear

Fall (Post-Harvest)

• Spray: Copper and horticultural oil
• Purpose: Clean up any late fungal or insect problems

Step-by-Step: How To Spray Your Fruit Trees

1. Mix according to label directions
2. Add Spreader Sticker (if applicable)
3. Shake or stir thoroughly
4. Test the spray to prime the nozzle
5. Spray top to bottom, starting inside and working outward
6. Coat every surface, especially the undersides of leaves and branch joints
7. Keep pets and people away until fully dry

Fruitful Ends: Spray Smart, Not Hard

Spraying fruit trees isn't about dousing them in chemicals; it's about thoughtful timing, observation, and prevention. From eco-friendly sprays to natural predators, the modern gardener has more tools than ever to win the worm war without hurting Ma Nature's harmony.

So grab that sprayer, protect those pollinators, and let the season of sweet, spotless fruit begin!

As always, Nature Hills Nursery is here to help take the guesswork out of caring for your ornamental and edible landscape! Don't hesitate to contact our knowledgeable staff with any questions, or head over to our Garden Blog #ProPlantTips for Care for more information!

Happy Planting!