Introduction - No Fruit Growing
There can be many reasons why there’s no fruit growing on your fruit trees or shrubs. Worse, sometimes there can be multiple causes at work at the same time. Often the problem is not immediately fixable and goes beyond simply walking up to the tree and inspecting it.
But you have to start somewhere, which is why we list some causes and possible solutions to the problem below.
Why is there no fruit growing?
| What is wrong | Cause | Probable solution |
|---|---|---|
|
Zoning and variety
|
Tree Cold Hardiness not matching zoning
|
Choose varieties appropriate for your cold hardiness zoning (match genus – i.e. apple – and cross-pollinator if needed)
|
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|
No tree of the same genus (i.e. Malus) nearby |
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|
The other variety/cultivar in yard is sterile |
|
|
Exposure |
Lack of sun light |
All fruit trees and shrubs need full sun (>6 hours of sun)
|
|
Weather |
Cold, cool, rainy weather conditions during flowering |
Nothing you can do, but wait for better weather conditions next year |
|
|
Frost damage: flowers of fruit trees are very sensitive to late spring frosts |
Protect trees with fleece or heating or by moving air |
|
|
Extreme low winter temperatures |
Nothing you can do, but wait for better weather conditions next year |
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|
Inconstitent winter temperatures
|
Nothing you can do, but wait for better weather conditions next year |
|
|
Tree Cold Hardiness not matching zoning |
Choose varieties appropriate for your cold hardiness zoning (match genus – i.e. apple – and cross-pollinator if needed) |
|
Timing |
Trees/shrubs that need pollinators are not blooming at the same time or time range |
Choose the appropriate varieties |
|
Spacing |
Trees are out of range for pollinators |
Apple – semi-dwarf: <50 feet Apple – dwarf: <20 feet Blueberry: <6 feet Cherry, Sweet: <6 feet Pear : < 100 feet Plum: <100 feet |
|
Maturity |
Trees are to young for regular production |
In general trees com in production after: Apple: 2-5 years Blueberry: 2-3 years Cherry, Sweet: 4-7 years Cherry, Sour: 3-5 years Pear: 4-6 years Plum: 3-6 years |
|
|
Old, unproductive trees that do not flower |
Trees can be rejuvenated by pruning/removing old, unproductive growth and allowing new growth to replace it. |
|
Improper tree vigor |
Trees expend all their energy in growing wood and do not produce flower buds |
Regular (yearly) moderate pruning to encourage fruit growth by getting more open canopy for better air-flow and allowing light Avoid over-pruning Avoid over-fertilization |
|
Pollinating insects |
Lack in number of pollinating insects, such as bees |
Attract pollinating insects by adding flowering plants close to the fruit trees or shrubs. Most flowering plants are almost guaranteed to attract bees, especially marigolds, pansies, spurge, trollius, and arabis are as the blooming times coincide with fruit trees |
|
Pests and diseases |
Leaf drop, yellowing leaves, curled leaves, insect infestation. |
Take preventing measures and check your tree often for signs of stress and act accordingly if your tree is under attack |
We hope this guide is helpful to you. Let us know if you have any questions or additions.
