Local Fruit Trees

August 22, 2005

Since today seems to be a very slow news day, I will ask a question that has been on my mind for the last couple of weeks.

While our Gravenstein apple tree is producing as many apples as ever, our very mature pear tree has only produced two pears this year. Over the last decade, the apple tree has been very consistent, but I can recall a couple of years when the pear tree was low on fruit. After one of the low years, a local tree service told me that the tree was getting old and was slowing down naturally. Then it had a big year where it produced 50 or more pears.

It may be a coincidence, but I also notice that my yellowjacket trap is almost empty while in some years it has filled up by this point in the summer.

Is anyone else experiencing a low fruit year in Burlingame, especially with pears? I know we have some tree experts reading the blog regularly so any insight would be welcome.

– Written by Joe Baylock

Posted in Trees

4 responses to “Local Fruit Trees”

Anonymous

August 22, 2005

Yes, definitely. No apricots, and no plums. Last year was a bumper crop, this year, nothing. I think it was all the late rains, destroying the blossoms. Other neighbors report the same.
Rich Grogan

August 22, 2005

There is a GREAT radio show on Sunday morning between 7am to 10am. The show is Bob Tanem in the garden. Bob accepts and will answer questions from callers. This might be bigger than a local issue. The show is on 560AM. To find out more about Bob, go to the web page KSFO560>host>Bob Tanem.

From Bob’s web page I copied this information.

Bob’s newsletter is distributed four times a year for only $15.00 For more information about his newsletter and Tanem’s Mailorder, call (415) 472 – 6121. Bob’s weekday fax is (415) 472 – 4459. His voicemail (415) 954 – 8611. That number is checked every day.
Anonymous

August 23, 2005

My plum tree had very few plums this year, too. I never even saw any of the wild parrots that come every year to enjoy them. Has anybody seen the wild parrots lately? I’ve seen them in the area since I was a child here in the 60’s but there don’t seem to be as many these days.
Anonymous

August 23, 2005

I think those parrots have joined their friends in the city. I haven’t seen them here in years, either!

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