Growing tree fruit is a rewarding experience and it does not come without challenges. Pest management for these trees relies on identifying the pest and then choosing management options that minimize pest-caused damage without harming beneficial insects like predators and pollinators. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and you will have to come up with a program that works well for you. To help get you started, I am going to give you a list of resources for information that will help you keep the trees at their best and minimize pest damage.

General tree fruit care and culture:

Considerations for growing backyard tree fruit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/considerations_for_growing_backyard_tree_fruit

Pdf: https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/backyard%20tree%20fruit%20-%20web.pdf

Pruning and training backyard fruit trees: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart-gardening-pruning-and-training-backyard-apple-and-pear-trees

Pdf: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/uploads/files/smartgardening-pruningfruit-web.pdf

Renovating old fruit trees:

Oregon State University

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/berries-fruit/restore-those-old-fruit-trees

University of Wisconsin Extension Bulletins:

Growing Apples in Wisconsin: https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A3565.pdf

Growing Pears in Wisconsin (A2072): https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A2072.pdf

Growing Apricots, Cherries, Peaches & Plums in Wisconsin (A3639): https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A3639.pdf

Good Fruit Grower article on Cherry training systems: http://www.goodfruit.com/the-seven-cherry-training-systems/

Michigan Fresh Bulletin (E3173) ”Growing Tree Fruits at Home”: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/Growing_Tree_Fruits_(E3173).pdf

Good Fruit Grower article on proper spreading of shoots and branches: http://www.goodfruit.com/spreading-shoots-of-young-apple-trees/

Washington State University page for fruit tree Pruning and Training systems: http://treefruit.wsu.edu/orchard-management/pruning-and-training-systems/

Pest Management Resources:

Minimizing pesticide risk to bees in fruit crops (MSU E3245): http://msue.anr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/Minimizing_Pesticide_Risk_to_Bees_in_Fruit_Crops_(E3245).pdf

Michigan Fruit Management Guide (for commercial fruit growers) E154 available for purchase at local extension offices or at http://shop.msu.edu/product_p/bulletin-e0154.htm .

Home fruit spray schedule from University of New Hampshire Extension:

https://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource005256_Rep7402.pdf

Managing pests in home fruit plantings (Purdue University Extension, ID-146-W):

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-146-w.pdf

Bagging fruit to protect it from pests and diseases:

https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef218

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/peach/commercial/diseases/clemsonfruitbags.html