Spray Schedule for Apple, Crabapple, Pear and Quince Trees
Apply dormant sprays only when the temperature is above freezing and before buds show green tips. Borers that attack apple and pear trees will be controlled by the following spray schedule if the trunk is thoroughly sprayed. If borers have attacked young nonbearing trees, spray tree trunks every 2 weeks during June and July with a multipurpose fruit spray.
| 1 | Dormant; before buds swell, not later | Plant spray oil | 5 | 3 | Spray only when the temperature will not drop to freezing for 24 hours |
| 2 | When green tissue is inch out of bud and again when flower buds show color | Captan Plus Diazinon or multipurpose fruit spray plus sulfur (if needed) | 1-1/21 1 | 11/4 3/4 | Add 5 tablespoons of wettable sulfur per gallon or 1 teaspoon of Benlate if powdery mildew is a problem on apples. |
| 3 | When three-fourths of the petals have fallen | Same as no. 2 mix | Same as no. 2 mix | X | For powdery mildew, see remark above. If bees are still coming to flowers, delay application or do not include an insecticide in the spray mix. |
| 4 | 7 to 10 days after no. 3 mix | Same as no. 2 mix | Same as no. 2 mix | X | For powdery mildew, see remark above. Insecticide applications at this time and again in about 2 weeks are especially important to prevent codling moth larvae from entering fruit. |
| 5 | Continue sprays at 7 to 10 day intervals until July 1. | Same as no. 2 mix | Same as no. 2 mix | X | For powdery mildew, see remark above. |
| 6 | Continue sprays at 10 to 14-day intervals until 2 weeks before harvest. | Same as no. 2 mix | Same as no. 2 mix | X | For powdery mildew, see remark above. |
NOTE: Apply dormant sprays only when the temperature is above freezing and before buds show green tips. Borers that attack apple and pear trees are controlled by the spray schedule above if the trunk is thoroughly sprayed. If borers have attacked young, nonbearing trees, spray the trunks every 2 weeks during June and July with a multipurpose fruit spray. For apple maggot control in the northern half of Illinois and codling moth control throughout the state, continue to apply an insecticide or multipurpose fruit spray every 10 to 14 days through July and August.
| Height in feet | Spread in feet | Gallons per tree per application* |
| 4 | 3 | Up to 1/2 |
| 5 to 8 | 3 to 6 | 1/4 to 1 |
| 8 to 10 | 4 to 8 | 1/2 to 2 |
| 10 to 15 | 8 to 15 | 1 to 3 |
| 15 to 20 | 15 to 25 | 2 to 6 |
*Use the larger amount for trees in full foliage.
The amounts given in the spray schedules are in level Teaspoons (tsp), level tablespoons (tbsp), and level or partial cups. One level cup Equals 16 tablespoons. The suggested amounts are adequate for control. Do not use more pesticide than labels instruct. Excessive concentrations or amounts may injure foliage or fruit. Insufficient concentrations may fail to control pests.
