Thoughts on thinning apple and pears to increase size of harvest?

Hi Everyone,

I have some apple and pear trees that I have thinned in the past to increase the size of the fruit. After hearing about how holtzer and other permies don't do anything but harvest the friut, I wonder if I am waisting my time. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Colin from Snohomish, WA

Colin Skelly wrote:Hi Everyone,

I have some apple and pear trees that I have thinned in the past to increase the size of the fruit. After hearing about how holtzer and other permies don't do anything but harvest the friut, I wonder if I am waisting my time. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Colin from Snohomish, WA

Colin good observation. Always good to stop and ask yourself if what you are doing is REALLY necessary. I always find it funny to see orchardists kill all the insects then spray to chemically thin. There are insects (like plum curculio) that will thin a portion of the fruit for you. I just let them. With a redesigned orchard their 'thinning' does not get out of hand. Not perfect but less work, more yield, more fun.